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THE  LAYMEN’S 
ASSOCIATION 


ITS  PLACE  IN 
METHODISM 


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Series  7 


SEPTEMBER,  1908  No. 

Published  Bi-Monthly  by  the  University  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Annual  Subscription,  M Cents 


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Entered  at  the  Post  Office  in  Chattanooga  as  second-class  matter,  unr 


der  tlie  Act  of  July  10.  1M»4 


THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


Presented  in  1916 

by 

President  Edmund  J.  Jame 
in  memory  of 
Amanda  K.  Casad 

287.6 
M 5690a 


THE 


LAYMEN’S  ASSOCIATION 

OF  THE 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH 


ORGANIZED  AT  BALTIMORE 


MAY,  1908 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE,  1908-1912 


PRESIDENT 

J.  A.  PATTEN  . . Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

VICE  PRESIDENT 

ROLLA  V.  WATT  . San  Francisco,  Cal. 

SECRETARY 

JAS.  G.  SHEPHERD  . . Scranton,  Pa. 

TREASURER 

O.  P.  MILLER  . . . Rock  Rapids,  Ia. 


AT  LARGE 


W.  L.  WOODCOCK 


Altoona,  Pa. 


t(mi/o 


m .6 


IN  EXPLANATION. 


The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
session  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  June  1,  1908,  on  recommendation  of  its 
committee  on  Temporal  Economy,  unanimously  adopted  the  follow- 
ing report: 

Your  Committee,  to  which  were  referred  memorials  from  the  Laymen’s 
Association  of  the  Holston  Conference  and  other  laymen’s  associations, 
recommends  that  the  following  paragraph  be  added  to  the  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline as  Section  5,  Paragraph  87 : 

“There  may  be  assembled  at  the  seat  of  the  Annual  Conference  a Lay- 
men’s Asssociation  organized  within  the  bounds  of  the  Conference,  com- 
posed of  delegates  elected  from  the  charges  in  such  manner  as  the  Laymen’s 
Association  may  determine. 

“The  purpose  of  such  association  shall  be  to  advance  the  local  and  con- 
ference interests  of  the  Church  and  to  enlist  all  laymen  in  the  general 
activities  of  the  denomination.” 

A meeting  attended  by  lay  delegates  to  the  General  Conference, 
also,  decided  upon  the  organization  of  a general  Laymen’s  Asso- 
ciation, and  adopted  the  constitution  printed  in  this  booklet.  The 
object  of  this  association  is  declared  to  be: 

To  promote  the  organization  of  laymen’s  associations  in  the  annual  con- 
ferences, and  to  co-operate  with  these  associations  in  interesting  all  our 
laymen  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  church. 

The  following  conferences  have  reported  laymen’s  organizations : 
Alabama,  Baltimore,  California,  Central  Illinois,  Central  Pennsyl- 
vania, Central  Tennessee,  Cincinnati,  Columbia  Biver,  Detroit, 
Erie,  Holston,  Illinois,  Lexington,  Minnesota,  Montana,  Newark, 
New  England,  New  York,  North  Ohio,  Northwest  Indiana,  North- 
west Iowa,  Oregon,  Philadelphia,  Pittsburg,  Puget  Sound,  Rock 
River,  South  Kansas,  Southern  California,  Southwest  Kansas, 
Troy,  Upper  Iowa,  West  Virginia,  West  Wisconsin,  and  Wyoming. 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


4 


In  many  instances,  these  associations  have  been  of  large  practi- 
cal value  to  important  interests  in  the  conferences  where  organ- 
ized. In  some  conferences,  the  results  have  been  far-reaching. 

Under  the  authority  above  quoted,  we  therefore  respectfully  sug- 
gest that  steps  be  taken  for  the  organization  of  laymen’s  associa- 
tions in  the  conferences  where  such  organizations  have  not  yet 
been  formed.  To  help  to  that  end,  we  present  herewith  some  re- 
ports of  the  work  of  existing  associations.  Information  about  the 
Holston  Conference  association  is  given  in  considerable  detail  for 
the  reason  that  complete  reports  of  the  meetings  of  this  associa- 
tion have  been  printed  annually  thus  making  the  material  availa- 
ble. The  work  of  this  organization  has  also  been  of  a somewhat 
unusual  character  as  the  necessity  which  called  it  into  existence 
was  unusual  and  extreme. 

The  material  printed  illustrates  the  fact  that  no  set  plan  can 
be  followed  in  determining  the  exact  line  of  activity  for  the  con- 
ference laymen’s  association.  That  must  be  indicated  by  the  spe- 
cific needs  of  the  conference  to  be  served.  The  details  given  are 
presented  from  the  desire  to  be  concrete  and  suggestive,  rather 
than  as  an  outline  to  specifically  guide  others.  The  appeal  to 
laymen  by  laymen  has  generally  been  effective,  whether  in  the  inter- 
est of  improved  ministerial  support,  better  care  of  retired  minis- 
ters, adequate  support  of  denominational  colleges  or  for  other 
worthy  causes  not  quite  reached  by  the  existing  organizations.  No 
other  plan  has  seemed  to  be  so  well  adapted  to  secure  the  active 
co-operation  of  all  the  laymen  of  a conference  for  an  important 
conference  interest. 

The  fellowship  at  annual  meetings;  the  fraternal  visits  to  the 
conference  sessions;  the  educational  value  of  earnest  consideration 
of  questions  of  conference  and  denominational  interest  have  been 
found  to  be  helpful.  A decided  revival  of  the  connectional  spirit 
of  Methodism  has  been  seen  in  many  places.  Laymen  from  city 
and  country  have  come  to  know  and  to  appreciate  each  other  and 
to  be  interested  in  the  work  and  problems  each  of  the  other. 

If  no  specific  association  activities  were  attempted  beyond  the 
provision  for  and  attendance  upon  the  annual  meetings,  the  spirit 
of  unity  and  fellowship  that  comes  from  such  a gathering  would 


ITS  PLAGE  IN  METHODISM 


D 


make  the  association  a desirable  supplement  to  the  work  of  the 
laymen  in  each  of  our  conferences. 

While  any  laymen  in  conferences  without  an  association  should 
feel  at  liberty  to  bring  the  matter  forward,  it  is  suggested  that  the 
delegates  to  the  last  general  conference  or  the  officers  of  the  lay 
electoral  conference  of  1907-8  would  be  especially  qualified  to  issue 
a call  and  plan  for  a meeting. 

If  the  undersigned  can  be  of  service,  they  will  be  glad  to  hear 
from  their  brethren  desiring  further  information. 

In  His  Name, 

John  A.  Patten, 

Eolla  V.  Watt, 

James  G.  Shepherd, 

Oscar  P.  Miller, 

William  L.  Woodcock, 

August  1,  1908.  Executive  Committee 


GENERAL  LAYMEN’S  ASSOCIATION. 


At  a largely  attended  meeting  of  the  lay  delegates  to  the  General 
Conference  held  in  Mount  Vernon  Place  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  on  May  25,  1908,  an  organization  of  a general  Laymen’s 
Association  was  affected,  with  the  following  Constitution: 

1.  Name.  This  Association  shiall  be  called  the  Laymen’s  Association 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

2.  Place  of  Meeting.  It  shall  meet  quadrennially  at  the  seat  of  the 
General  Conference  at  such  times  as  may  be  arranged  by  the  Executive 
Committee. 

3.  Objects.  Its  objects  shall  be  to  interest  all  our  laymen  in  the  gen- 
eral affairs  of  the  Church,  and  especially  to  promote  the  organization  of 
lay  .associations  in  all  the  annual  conferences,  to  the  end  that  the  Church 
may  be  aroused  to  greater  usefulness  in  God’s  service. 

4.  Membership.  The  membership  of  this  Association  shall  consist  of 
its  officers  and  all  lay  delegates  to  the  General  Conference. 

5.  Officers.  The  officers  shall  be  a president,  a vice  president,  a secre- 
tary and  a treasurer.  Said  officers  serve  during  the  session  at  which  they 
are  elected  and  the  next  succeeding  quadrennial  session  until  their  success- 
ors are  elected,  and  shall  perform  such  duties  as  are  usual  to  their  respec- 
tive offices. 

6.  Executive  Committee.  There  shall  be  an  Execptive  Committee  con- 
sisting of  the  officers  named  in  section  5 and  one  additional  member  at 
large.  The  duties  of  said  committee  shall  be  to  make  all  the  necessary 
arrangements  as  to  time  and  place  of  meeting  of  the  Association ; prepare 
a program  of  exercises  for  each  session  ; secure  the  presence  of  desirable 
speakers  and  perform  all  other  needed  work  as  a Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments and  report  the  same  at  commencement  of  each  meeting. 

7.  Amendments.  This  Constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  session  of 
the  Association  by  a two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  and  voting. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Laymen’s  Association,  held  in 
the  Eest  Room  at  Lyric  Hall,  May  29,  1908,  the  following  officers 
were  elected : 

President — John  A.  Patten,  Chattanooga.  Tenn. 

Vice  President — Holla  V.  Watt,  San  Francisco,  California. 

Secretary — J.  G.  Shepherd,  Scranton,  Penna. 

Treasurer — O.  P.  Miller,  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa. 

At  Large — W.  L.  Woodcock.  Altoona,  Penna. 

Wm.  L.  Woodcock,  Chairman. 

0.  P.  C allah an.  Secretary  Pro  Tem. 


THE  LAYMEN’S  APPEAL  TO  LAYMEN. 


On  May  13,  1908,  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Chnrch  adopted  a resolntion,  presented  by  H.  B.  Williams, 
of  the  Rock  River  Conference,  requesting  the  bishops  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  three  laymen  to  arrange  for  a meeting  of  the  lay  dele- 
gates at  such  convenient  place  as  may  be  selected  by  the  committee, 
and  at  8 o’clock  on  the  earliest  evening  practicable. 

The  bishops  appointed  the  following  committee:  H.  B.  Wil- 
liams, Rock  River  Conference;  John  A.  Patten,  Holston  Confer- 
ence; James  G.  Shepherd,  Wyoming  Conference,  and  the  meeting 
provided  for  was  held  at  the  Mount  Vernon  Place  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  on  May  20th.  J.  A.  Patten  was  elected  chairman, 
and  C.  W.  Neitz  was  chosen  secretary.  After  approving  memorials 
to  be  presented  to  the  General  Conference,  the  meeting  unanimously 
adopted  the  following: 


ADDRESS  TO  LAYMEN-  OF  THE  CHURCH  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF 
PASTORAL  SUPPORT. 

Ever  since  the  Christian  Conference  in  1784,  held  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, when  sixty  preachers  organized  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  our 
ministers  have  faithfully  obeyed  the  Master’s  command  to  “preach  the  gos- 
pel to  every  creature,”  and  under  the  power  of  God  have  carried  good  tid- 
ings to  the  most  remote  corners  of  the  world. 

Without  this  tireless,  consecrated,  courageous  ministry,  our  Methodism 
of  today  would  have  been  an  impossibility.  Always  compelled  by  some- 
thing of  the  great  apostle’s  “woe  is  me  if  I preach  not  the  gospel.’’  this 
same  ministry  has  often  known  the  deprivations  of  the  Master  who  had  not 
where  to  lay  his  head. 

The  Methodist  minister  does  not  follow  civilization — civilization  follows 
him ; material  values  increase  because  of  him ; churches  and  homes  are 
built  up  around  him ; and  through  his  work  desert  places  come  to  “bloom 
and  blossom  as  the  rose.” 

But  the  spiritual  victories  of  our  ministry  are  beyond  all  that  can  be 
measured  by  money  or  houses  or  lands.  Not  only  our  own  Church,  but 
Churches  of  all  creeds  have  gathered  a rich  harvest  of  souls  from  seed 
planted  by  the  Methodist  preacher. 

/While  our  ministers  do  not  expect  the  financial  rewards  of  a secular 
calling,  our  bishops,  in  their  Episcopal  address,  have  well  said,  “It  is  of 
the  highest  wisdom  to  offer  such  support  as  secures  freedom  from  anxiety, 
as  well  as  modest  provision  for  intelligence,  culture,  and  education  of  chil- 
dren.” And  does  not  common  honesty  demand  fair  recompense  for  the  men 
who  serve  us? 

The  church  today  demands  more  of  its'  ministry  than  ever  before,  and  if 


8 


THE  LAYMEN  S ASSOCIATION 


it  is  to  have  in  its  pulpit  men  of  commanding  ability,  who  must  give  their 
earliest  years  to  preparation,  and  then  give  themselves  completely  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  the  Church  must  be  willing  to  meet  their  sacrifices 
with  fair  provision  for  their  comfort. 

Although  the  wealth  of  the  country  has  enormously  increased,  the  remu- 
eration  has  not  kept  pace  with  it.  While  many  pastors  are  receiving  satis- 
factory support,  there  are  many  more  earnest,  educated,  effective  men,  whose 
support  is  so  meager  that  they  cannot  have  common  comforts,  even  by  the 
strictest  economy,  and  whose  usefulness  is  seriously  impaired  because  of 
their  anxiety  for  the  support  of  their  families  and  the  education  of  their 
children.  No  institution,  religious  or  secular,  can  reach  its  highest  useful- 
ness with  such  conditions  existing. 

Pathetic  tales  of  se’f-denial,  verging  on  suffering,  could  be  gathered  at 
every  Annual  Conference  session,  if  the  somber  truths  could  be  reached 
beneath  the  smiles  of  those  who  are  brave  enough  to  hide  their  needs 
from  men,  and  to  make  them  known  only  to  the  God  whom  they  serve  writh 
such  fidelity. 

The  laity,  which  owes  so  much  spiritually  and  materially  to  this 
great  Church,  cannot  afford  to  do  less  than  to  see  to  i't  that  our  faithful 
pastors  shall  receive  not  only  an  adequate,  but  a generous  support. 

Therefore,  we,  the  lay  delegates  to  the  General  Conference  of  1908,  in 
session  in  Baltimore,  the  birthplace  of  our  denomination,  and  in  a special 
mass-meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  mosr  earnestly  call  upon  our  brethren 
throughout  the  Church  to  give  increased  attention  to  the  vital  question  of 
pastoral  support,  and  to  so  relieve  our  ministers  from  anxiety  concerning 
their  temporal  affairs  that  they  may  be  able  to  give  their  entire  time  and 
energy  to  the  work  of  the  Master.  The  growth  that  would  follow  such  a 
course  would  be  a revelation  to  all  our  people. 

And  to  give  definiteness  to  our  appeal,  we  further  call  upon  you,  individ- 
ually. during  this  quadrennium,  to  make  careful  inquiry  in  your  Quarterly 
Conferences  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the  amount  apportioned  to  your  own 
pastor,  and  to  make  a substantial  and  adequate  advance  in  payments 
for  ministerial  support  in  every  Conference  in  Methodism. 

J.  A.  Patten,  Chairman. 

C.  W.  Neitz,  Secretary. 

Temporal  Economy  Report  No.  24,  adopted  by  the  General  Con- 
ference June  1,  1908. 

Your  committee,  after  having  carefully  examined  the  memorial 
of  H.  B.  Williams  and  the  laymen's  mass  meeting  relating  to  pas- 
toral support,  adopt  their  resolution  as  our  report: 

“Resolved,  That  the  Bishops  be  requested  to  appoint  a commission,  con- 
sisting of  nine  laymen,  to  compile  statistics  and  gather  information  regard- 
ing the  inadequacy  of  the  support  of  our  ministers.  This  commission 
shall  publish  and  distribute  literature  and  place  before  our  Methodism  the 
needs  of  a better  pastoral  support  and  report  to  the  General  Conference 
of  1912. 

“The  commission  shall  do  its  work  without  expense  to  the  Church.” 

William  H.  Wilder,  Chairman. 

Leslie  J.  Naftzer,  Secretary. 

(The  bishops  have  not  at  this  date  announced  the  members  of 
this  commission.) 


HOLSTON  CONFERENCE  ASSOCIATION. 


THE  FIRST  MEETING, 

CHATTANOOGA,  OCTOBER  5-6,  1900 


THE  CALL. 


To  the  Laymen  of  the  Holston  Conference: 

Our  Conference  meets  at  Chattanooga  in  October,  Bishop  Goodsell  pre- 
siding. 

The  members  of  the  lay  electoral  conference  in  session  at  Cleveland  last 
fall,  were  invited  to  attend  this  year’s  conference,  and  were  assured  of  a 
glad  welcome  and  hospitable  entertainment  at  Chattanooga. 

The  undersigned,  believing  that  it  would  be  of  very  great  benefit  to  the 
work  of  our  church  for  laymen  from  all  our  charges  'to  visit  the  conference 
and  spend  a day  in  consultation  together,  join  in  a,  call  for  a laymen’s  con- 
vention to  be  held  in  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Chattanooga, 
beginning  at  10  a.  m.,  on  Friday  of  Conference  week. 

Our  educational  work,  our  publication  interests,  the  20th  Century  move- 
ment, the  question  of  pastoral  support — indeed  many  questions  of  vital  in- 
terest to  our  church  in  the  conference  can,  we  think,  receive  helpful  at- 
tention, and  we  hope  there  will  be  ia  generous  response  to  this  call. 

An  attractive  program  will  be  prepared  and  published  later.  It  is 
expected  that  a great  20th  Century  meeting,  addressed  by  a distinguished 
Fader  of  our  Methodism,  will  be  held  at  night.  It  is  our  hope  that  the  con- 
vention may  decide  to  form  a permanent  laymen’s  association,  such  as  many 
other  conferences  now  have. 

We  ask  the  Fourth  Quarterly  Conference  for  each  station  and  circuit  to 
elect  one  regular  lay  delegate  and  one  reserve  lay  delegate  to  this  con- 
vention. Presiding  officers  are  requested  to  call  attention  to  this  at  the 
Quarterly  Conference.  When  the  elections  have  taken  place  the  names  of 
delegates  with  their  postoffice  addresses,  should  be  sent  to  J.  A.  Pattep, 
Chattanooga. 

The  undersigned  will  gladly  answer  any  questions  from  ministers  or  lay- 
men regarding  the  meeting,  and  solicit  the  co-operation  of  all  our  people 
to  make  this  laymen’s  meeting  a great  successs. 

Fraternally  yours. 

W.  A.  Wright,  Athens  District. 

J.  A.  Patten,  Chattanooga  District. 

J.  A.  Fowler,  Clinton  District. 

C.  P.  Cass,  Greeneville  District. 

J.  O.  LrOTSPEiCH,  Knoxville  District. 


10 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


Responding  to  this  call,  about  100  laymen  attended  the  meet- 
ing. Addresses  were  heard  on  such  subjects  as  “The  Ecumenical 
Conference  of  1901;”  “Can  a Small  Church  Pay  Its  Preacher?;” 
“How  Far  Is  the  Church  a Business  Institution?;”  “Why  Make 
Church  Services  Attractive  and  Why  Beautify  Church  Buildings?;” 
“Our  Obligations  to  the  Epworth  League;”  “Hoi stones  Obliga- 
tions to  the  Benevolences;”  “The  Proper  Work  of  Women  in  the 
Church;”  “The  Correct  Principle  of  Giving;”  “The  Laymen  and 
the  Revival;”  “Why  Support  Our  Church  Schools;”  “The  Twen- 
tieth Century  Movement  and  Our  Educational  Work,”  and  “Don’t 
Forget  the  Sunday  School.” 

A fraternal  visit  was  made  to  the  annual  conference.  Speeches 
were  made  by  Bishop  Goodsell  and  Hon.  James  A.  Fowler,  who 
represented  the  lay  convention.  The  laymen  remained  to  hear 
Bishop  Goodsell’s  address  to  the  class  admitted  to  conference  mem- 
bership. 

After  the  discussion  of  the  question  “Shall  We  have  an  Annual 
Laymen’s  Convention,”  it  was  decided  to  form  a permanent  organi- 
zation and  this  constitution  was  adopted : 

1.  Name.  This  association  shall  be  called  the  Laymen’s  Association  of 
the  Holston  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

2.  Place  of  Meeting.  It  shall  meet  annually  at  the  place  of  meeting  of 
the  Holston  Conference,  on  such  day  and  ait  such  hour  as  may  be  ar- 
ranged by  the  Executive  Committee. 

3.  Objects.  Its  objects  shall  be  to  mutually  interest  the  laymen 
throughout  the  bounds  of  the  Holston  Methodist  Episcopal  Conference  in 
all  the  general  affairs  of  the  Church,  and  especially  in  every  local  interest, 
whereby  the  church  may  be  stirred  up  to  a greater  efficiency  and  usefulness 
in  the  hands  of  God  in  advancing  His  cause. 

3.  Membership.  The  melmersihip  of  this  Association  shall  consist  of 
its  officers,  standing  committees,  committees  appointed  by  the  Executive 
Committee  between  sessions,  and  one  delegate  from  each  pastoral  charge, 
who  may  be  either  male  or  female,  to  be  elected  with  one  reserve  delegate 
ac  the  Quarterly  Conference  preceding  the  Annual  Convention,  or  in  such 
manner  as  the  laity  of  the  charge  may  determine.  The  election  to  an  office, 
or  the  appointment  on  a committee,  of  any  lay  member  present  at  the  ses- 
sion shall  constitute  him  or  her  a member  of  the  Association.  This  As- 
sociation may  also  elect  a lay  member  not  present  at  the  session  of  the  As- 
sociation to  an  office,  if  it  be  considered  that  the  interest  of  the  church  be 
conserved  thereby,  and  an  election  shall  constitute  him  or  her  a member 
of  the  Asssoci'ation. 

5.  Officers.  The  officers  shall  be  a President,  Vied  President  from 
each  District,  a Secretary  and  a Treasurer,  which  may  be  combined  at  the 
discretion  of  the  Association.  Said  officers  shall  serve  during  the  session 
at  which  they  are  elected  and  the  next  succeeding  annual  session  until 
their  successors  are  elected,  and  shall  perform  such  duties  as  are  usual  to 
their  respective  offices. 

6.  Executive  Committee.  There  shall  be  an  Executive  Committee  con- 
sisting of  the  officers  named  in  Section  5.  The  duties  of  said  committee 
shall  be  to  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  as  to  place  and  time  of 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


11 


meeting  of  the  Association  ; prepare  a program  of  exercises  for  each  session : 
secure  the  presence  of  desirable  speakers,  and  perform  all  other  needed  work 
as  a Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  report  the  same  at  commencement  of 
each  meeting. 

7.  Amendment.  This  Constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  session  of 
the  Association  by  a two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  and  voting. 

Th  following  officers  were  elected: 

President — John  A.  Patten,  Chattanooga. 

Vice  Presidents.  Athens  District,  Walter  Franklin,  Athens,  Tenn.  * 
Clinton  District,  Ar we'll  Taylor,  Clinton,  Tenn. ; Chattanooga  District, 
Quincy  Dwight,  Hill  City,  Tenn. ; Greeneville  District,  Joseph  A.  Grigsby, 
White  Horn,  Tenn. ; Knoxville  District,  Miss  FAhel  Manlove,  Knoxville, 
Tenn. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer John  W.  Fisher,  Newport,  Tenn. 

A decision  was  reached  to  print  the  complete  minutes  of  the 
meeting.  Before  adjournment,  the  President  spoke  in  part  as  fol- 
lows : 

“I  want  to  say  before  we  separate  that  the  success  of  this  convention 
has  been  very  gratifying  to  me  personally.  We  felt  it  was  something  of 
an  experiment  when  we  made  the  call.  You  have  responded  beyond  our 
expectations.  That  one  hundred  busy  laymen  from  every  part  of  the  con- 
ference have,  at  much  sacrifice  of  time  and  money,  spent  these  two  days 
togther  means  much  for  the  future  of  our  Miethodism.  The  convention, 
from  every  standpoint,  has  been  a recognized  success  and  we  have  greatly 
enjoyed  having  you  with  us  at  Chattanooga. 

“I  believe  we  are  entering  upon  the  best  year  of  our  history.  As  lay- 
men, we  are  beginning  to  recognize  our  responsibility  for  the  condition 
of  our  churches.  The  laymen  of  a charge  should  personally  feel  humiliated 
if  their  preacher  is  unpaid — if  their  benevolent  apportionment  is  not  met — 
if  their  Sunday  School  and  Epworth  League  are  not  well  supported.  I call 
upon  you  brethren,  as  the  leaders  of  our  Zion  to  bring  the  work  up  to  self- 
respe'cting  conditions  everywhere. 

“I  am  delighted  to  hear  that  for  the  year  just  closed  one  of  our  districts 
shows  every  benevolent  opportionment  paid  for  every  charge  in  that  district. 
And  they  will  now  enter  upon  a campaign  for  complete  payments  of  pastors' 
salaries.  I say  “amen”  to  that  movement.  Let  us  extend  it  throughout 
the  entire  conference.” 


WORK  OF  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 


The  activities  of  the  Executive  Committee  throughout  the  year 
centered  around  the  question  of  pastoral  support.  On  November 
first  a letter  of  inquiry  was  addressed  to  every  charge  in  the  con- 
ference, asking  for  a frank  statement  of  existing  conditions.  In 
part,  this  letter  said : 

A careful  review  convinces  us  that  the  question  of  adequate  pastoral- 
support  is  the  first  one  that  should  have  attention  from  us.  It  seriously 
reflects  upon  all  our  work  that  capable  men  should  be  faithfully  administer- 


12 


THE  LAYMEN  S ASSOCIATION 


ing  to  well-to-do  congregations  in  our  Conference  and  receive  less  for  their 
service  than  is  actually  necessary  to  support  their  families  in  comfort.  We 
feel  sure  that  you  will  agree  with  us  that  this  is  a matter  meriting  the 
prayerful  consideration  of  our  people. 

To  suggest  remedies  for  imperfect  conditions  we  should  have  exact  in- 
formation. We  ask  for  an  immediate  reply  to  the  questions  shown  on 
the  back  of  this  sheet,  asked  simply  to  give  us  a fair  view  of  the  situation 
and  to  enable  us  to  serve  smu. 

The  following  questions  were  asked : 

What  salary  was  estimated  for  your  pastor  last  year?  How  much  was 
paid?  Was  that  an  advance  over  previous  year?  If  salary  was  not  all 
paid,  please  give  reason.  What  system  or  plan  do  you  follow  in  raising 
pastor’s  salary?  Do  you  ask  the  people  to  pay  weekly,  monthly  or 
quarterly.  How  many  members  has  our  church  in  your  charge?  How 
many  contribute  regularly  to  the  support  of  the  pastor?  How  many  others 
are  able  to  make  contributions?  Give  cause  of  their  failure  as  you  under- 
stand it.  How  do  you  think  our  system  could  be  improved?  What  salary 
have  you  estimated  for  the  new  year?  Do  you  think  it  will  be  paid  in 
full? 

Secretary  Fisher  compiled  the  information  contained  in  ninety 
replies  received,  with  the  following  results:  15  stewards  reported 
increase  of  salary;  7 said  salary  was  paid  in  full;  21  said  contribu- 
tions were  made  quarterly;  14,  monthly;  9,  weekly;  and  10  in 
“disciplinary  manner.”  The  causes  of  failure  to  meet  salary  esti- 
mates were  given  as  follows : Negligence,  7 ; steward’s  negligence, 
10;  too  poor,  3;  indifference,  13  ; not  properly  instructed,  16;  pas- 
tor’s failure  of  duty,  8 ; dislike  of  pastor*  6 ; too  stingy,  6. 

These  letters  were  studied  as  carefully  as  possible  and  every 
effort  made  to  improve  the  situation  shown  to  exist  in  many  places ; 
the  presiding  elder’s  attention  being  called  to  the  information  re- 
ceived from  their  districts  and  the  assistance  of  the  committee  ten- 
dered in  every  practical  way. 


APPEAL  TO  DEFICIENT  CHARGES  BY  EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE. 

We  are  nearing  the  end  of  one  of  the  best  years  in  the  history 
of  the  Holston  Conference.  It  is  consrevatively  estimated  that 
more  than  2,500  conversions  will  be  reported  to  Conference.  New 
churches  and  parsonages  have  been  built,  the  burden  of  debt  has 
been  removed  from  nearly  all  our  societies  and  a year  of  all-round 
victory  is  assured. 

In  the  face  of  these  glad  tidings,  we  are  saddened  at  the  reports 
received  regarding  pastoral  support  throughout  the  Conference.  We 
find  that  fifty-one  of  our  charges  were  deficient  last  year  in  meet- 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM  lo 

ing  even  the  very  small  salaries  estimated  for  their  pastors, 
and  the  indications  are  that  unless  special  efforts  are  put  forth, 
little  better  will  be  done  this  year.  We  appeal  to  the  loyal  Hol- 
ston  laymen  to  see  to  it  that  the  first  year  of  the  Twentieth  Cen- 
tury shows  a better  record. 

We  find  that  your  work  appears  in  the  minutes  as  one  of  the 
appointments  showing  a deficiency  last  year.  As  your  brethren, 
interested  in  the  success  of  the  Lord’s  cause,  we  frankly  ask  you  to 
now  take  such  action  as  will  insure  full  payment  of  the  pastor’s 
claim  before  Conference.  We  are  not  unmindful  of  the  difficulties, 
but  we  affectionately  urge  upon  you  the  sacred  obligation  that 
rests  upon  all  of  us  to  generously,  promptly  and  in  a business-like 
way  provide  for  the  support  of  the  church.  Reasonable  gratitude 
for  Divine  favors  received,  and  a reasonable  recognition  of  our 
pledges  at  the  altar  of  the  church  bring  the  obligation  very  close 
to  us. 

Will  you  not  quickly  organize  the  forces  with  this  end  in  view? 
Please  do  not  wait  for  others.  The  year  is  fast  going.  This  is  the 
day  for  action.  The  urgency  of  the  case  should  personally  be 
presented  to  every  member  and  friend  of  the  church.  United  action 
will  bring  the  desired  result— the  full  payment  of  every  pastor’s 
salary.  We  prefer  that  this  be  done  in  the  regular  way — by  the 
board  of  stewards  or  a committee  representing  the  same.  Some- 
times devoted  women  can  and  will  help.  If  you  think  wise,  read 
this  appeal  to  your  congregation.  Surely  there  are  some  in  your 
charge  who  will  take  up  this  important  work.  We,  as  your  breth- 
ren, desire  to  assist  you  in  every  consistent  way,  but  the  success  of 
the  movement  locally  depends  mainly  on  you  and  your  associates. 

With  the  cordial  co-operation  of  all  our  laymen,  with  financial 
support  and  personal  service,  we  believe  the  Holston  Conference 
will  number  50,000  members  in  ten  years.  Without  adequate  finan- 
cial support  for  our  ministers,  it  is  impossible  for  our  Bishops  and 
Presiding  Elders  to  make  satisfactory  provision  for  our  pulpits. 
Disintegration  and  loss  must  follow. 


BISHOP  GOODS  ELL’S  APPEAL. 

Following  this  letter,  Bishop  G-oodsell,  as  resident  bishop,  fur- 
nished an  address  to  the  lay  members  of  the  Holston  Conference, 
which  was  distributed  by  the  Executive  Committee  throughout  the 
Conference.  In  part,  Bishop  Goodsell  said: 


The  laymen  have  permitted  me  to  see  the  reports  from  the  churches  as 


14 


THE  LAYMEX  S ASSOCIATION 


t:o  the  support  of  the  pastors  in  the  conference  year  ISSIMOOO.  These  re- 
ports show  in  a number  of  churches  good  and  successful  work  in  enabling 
pastors  to  provide  things  “honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men.”  But  many  re- 
ports show  a painful  absence  of  effort,  plan  and  result.  It  is  amazing  that 
with  such  abundant  resources,  so  little  is  done  in  some  circuits.  I must 
believe  this  is  not  from  the  heart  of  our  people.  The  stewards  must  be  too 
busy  in  their  own  affairs  to  find  time  to  do  the  work  to  which  they  are 
called.  But  this  is  no  excuse  in  the  sight  of  our  Master.  The  things  of 
the  Kingdom  of  God  must  have  attention. 

Imperfect,  insufficient  and  irregular  support  makes  anxious,  indifferent 
and  discouraged  ministers.  Our  ministers  are  ready  to  suffer  with  the  poor, 
but  feel  that  they  ought  not  to  suffer  among  the  prosperous  and  comfort- 
able. That  they  do  in  some  cases  is  shown  by  the  reports  of  your  own  lay 
brethren.  May  God  help  us.  all  to  do  His  work  as  carefully  as  we  do  our 
own ! 

It  has  been  very  painful  to  me  to  be  asked  by  worthy  and  successful 
ministers  to  be  transferred  elsewhere  because  they  could  not  exist  here  on 
the  support  furnished.  Others  feed  justified  in  living  on  their  farms  or 
attending  to  some  secular  business  to  save  those  dear  to  them  from  positive 
suffering.  All  this  works  against  the  Church.  Good  work  cannot  be  done 
by  any  minister  who  must  give  his  time  to  business  needed  for  the  visitation 
of  his  flock,  the  studying  of  God’s  work  and  reading  of  necessary  books. 
Every  man  of  us  has  promised  at  God’s  altar  to  be  a man  of  one  work. 
We  cannot  be  without  the  cheerful  aid  of  our  people.  I do  not  ask  you 
to  support  indolent  and  careless  men.  The  sooner  such  are  out.  of  the 
pastorate  the  better.  But  I do  plead  with  you  to  stand  by  the  men  who 
live  among  you  ; who  wish  to  give  all  their  time  to  your  service  and  who 
are  prevented  from  doing  so,  not  by  the  lack  of  ability  among  us,  but  from 
the  fact  that  the  work  of  the  stewards  is  not  systematically  done. 


DE.  COOKE’S  STATEMENT. 

Near  the  end  of  the  year,  Dr.  E.  J.  Cooke,  then  editor  of  the 
Methodist  Advocate- Journal,  also  made  this  call  to  the  laymen: 

Among  the  chief  hindrances  to  the  growth  of  the  Church  in  the  South- 
ern Conferences  is  the  meagre  support  afforded  the  ministry.  The  evil  ef- 
fects of  this  lack  of  sufficient  and  respectable  support  can  scarcely  be  esti- 
mated. There  is  not  a single  item  of  Christian  activity,  not  a single  item 
of  ministerial  duty  that  is  not  affected  by  it,  and  that  for  the  worse  and 
the  worse  only.  No  man  can  be  at  his  best  in  his  work  unless  he  puts  his 
heart  into  it,  and  no  man  can  put  his  heart,  power,  cheerful,  uplifting,  in- 
spiring power  into  his  work  when  that  heart  is  burdened  with  anxieties 
which  discourage  him  and  sap  his  strength.  But  how  can  any  man,  no 
matter  how  consecrated  he  may  be,  keep  up  magnetic  courage  in  the  teeth 
of  selfish  neglect  on  the  part  of  the  very  people  for  whose  eternal  welfare  he 
is  exhausting  soul  and  body,  when  he  looks  at  his  own  family  living  ait  the 
very  lowest  grade,  and  himself  hampered  in  intellectual  development  for  the 
lack  of  means  to  buy  even  the  cheapest  books?  The  wonder  is  that  we 
have  any  ministry  at  all.  If  the  men  who  minister  to  us  in  holy  things 
were  not  truly  men  of  God,  if  they  were  less  heroic  in  the  service  of  Christ 
than  they  were,  we  certainly  would  not  have  a ministry. 

It  must  be  evident  to  every  thinking  layman  that  this  condition  cannot 
continue  always.  There  must  be  a change,  and  a change  for  the  better 
we  believe  there  will  be.  If  the  laymen  who  see  clearly  the  consequences  of 


ITS  PLACE  m METHODISM 


15 


this  crying  evil  would  lift  their  voices  in  the  congregation  and  point  out 
the  baneful  effects  of  this  serious  wrong,  the  agitation  would  certainly  be 
productive  of  good.  The  laymen  have  this  responsibility  upon  them ; it  is 
for  them  to  begin  the  reformation.  A more  loyal  and  thoroughly  Methodist 
membership  is  not  found  in  the  Church  than  the  laity  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  South,  but  it  does  seem  that  such  a laity  should  see 
most  clearly  that  to  starve  the  ministry  is  to  destroy  the  Church. 


❖ ❖ ❖ 

SECOND  MEETING, 

MORRISTOWN,  OCTOBER  11,  1901. 


The  second  convention  was  largely  attended.  After  detailing  the 
work  of  the  year  in  the  interest  of  improved  ministerial  support 
arid  referring  to  some  of  the  existing  conditions  the  president's  re- 
port continued: 

It  were  pleasanter  to  your  executive,  brethren,  to  bring  you  only  “hallelu- 
jahs” and  shouts  of  victory,  but  I am  mistaken  in  my  judgment  if  our  duty 
today  is  not  with  the  plain  truths  to  which  our  attention  has  been  called. 
Wle  rejoice  with  every  victorious  soul  that  enters  the  Kingdom,  but  when 
ihat  soul  is  so  dead  to  his  responsibilities  to  the  gospel  that  he  refuses  to 
entertain  the  thought  of  any  obligation  to  help  supply  the  bare  necessities 
of  life  to  the  man  of  God  who  has  shown  him  the  way  of  salvation,  we 
think  at  least  the  work  of  grace  is  only  half  complete. 

Is  there  any  remedy,  Is  there  any  light  ahead?  Must  we  always  be 
under  the  ban  of  utterly  inadequate  support  for  our  ministry?  Are  we  al- 
ways to  see  our  strongest  men  leave  us  because  we  will  not  provide  for 
their  needs?  Must  our  work,  because  of  the  indifference  and  selfishness  of 
the  people  within  our  Zion,  disintegrate  and  decay?  Are  we  not  to  move 
forward  with  the  spirit  of  our  new  Century  to  take  advantage  of  the  op- 
portunities God  has  spread  before  us? 

I will  detain  you  with  a few  suggestions  looking  to  a solution  of  this 
troublesome  problem. 

The  question,  to  my  mind,  is  one  of  utilizing  our  own  strength  rather 
than  of  looking  outside  for  assistance. 

There  is  much  encouragement  in  the  progress  made  under  great  diffi- 
culties and  especially  the  achievements  of  the  past  few  years.  We  need 
to  develop  a sturdy  self-respect.  We  are  not  paupers.  We  are  men — 
American  citizen®,  born  to  succeed.  In  our  communion  are  those  who  have 
potent  influence  in  every  line  of  material  activity  in  our  favored  East  Ten- 
nessee. Let  us  settle  in  our  minds  once  for  all  that  a great  future  opens 
before  our  Zion — if  we,  as  her  representatives,  will  meet  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  crisis  that  is  upon  her. 

The  first  duty  is  for  you  delegates  here  today — you  picked  men  and 
women  from  every  district  who  lead  in  the  work  that  is  done  in  the  home 
church  and  direct  the  general  activities  of  the  conference.  Until  you  have 


1G 


THE  LAYMEN’S  ASSOCIATION 


rendered  the  largest  possible  service  you  are  not  able  to  say  “my  part  is 
done.”  Until  you  have  given  all  you  can  and  have  contributed  your  influence 
and  example  to  bring  all  possible  light  and  inspiration  to  your  brethren, 
your  work  is  not  done.  When  your  church  carefully  estimates  its  pastor’s 
salary  and  the  quarterly  conference  fixes  that.  I cannot  see  it  otherwise  than 
as  a sacred  “severally  and  jointly”  obligation,  in  equity  at  least,  that  rests 
upon  you  until  it  is  paid,  or  you  have  gone  to  the  last  extreme  to  have  it 
paid.  To  pay  a reasonable  sum  yourself  and  then  view  the  remainder  with 
indifference  is  out  of  line  with  the  spirit  that  brings  large  success  in  any 
line  of  work,  secular  or  religious.  This  is  the  obligation  that  rests 
upon  all  stewards,  members  of  finance  committees,  etc — all  leaders  who  have 
been  honored  with  positions  of  responsibility  in  every  church— not  to  wait 
for  another,  but  to  see  to  it  yourself  that  this  work  is  done.  Thei  cases  of 
negligence  on  the  part  of  the  officials  that  have  been  brought  to  our  at- 
tention are  in  some  instances  appalling.  And.  realizing  that  the  strong 
should  help  the(  weak  and  that  our  whole  work  is  a unit,  it  seems  to  me 
the  obligation  goes  beyond  the  limit  of  a local  church — to  encourage  other 
churches  of  the  district  and  of  the  conference  to  advance  with  the  tide. 

Another  general  impression  I have  is  that  delay  in  undertaking  to  raise 
the  ministers  salary  during  the  first  six  months  of  the  year  is  responsible 
for  much  of  the  deficiency  we  have  seen.  Many  rural  pastors  receive  noth- 
ing whatever  during  the  first  quarter  and  few  of  them  receive  more  than 
25  per  cent,  of  their  claims  during  the  first  half  of  the  year.  The  gen- 
erally accepted  purpose  to  “make  it  up  at  the  end  of  the  year”  is  a de- 
ceptive fiction  that  has  outlived  its  day.  Will  we  not  all  join  in  a clarion 
call  today  that  our  ministers  should  be  paid  in  full  each  month  of  the  year — 
the  first  month  as  well  as  the  last.  It  is  easier  for  the  people  to  pay  in 
small  amounts.  It  educates  them  to  regular  habits  of  benevolence  instead 
of  occasional  spasmodic  outbursts  and  it  is  plain  justice  to  the  minister 
who  must  provide  for  his  family. 


The  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  other  officers  also  presented  re- 
ports. 

The  annual  conference  invited  the  association  to  a joint  frater- 
nal session  where  Bishop  Hamilton  and  President  Patten  spoke 
briefly,  and  the  bishop’s  address  to  the  class  for  admission  was 
heard. 

In  the  afternoon  addresses  were  given  on  such  topics  as  “Co- 
operation with  the  Pastor;”  “Counsel  with  the  Pastor;”  “The  Kind 
of  Layman  a Pastor  Likes;”  “Paying  the  Pastor;”  “The  Growth 
of  Methodism  in  East  Tennessee  in  Twenty  Years;”  “Always  At- 
tend Church;”  “Loyalty  to  the  Church;”  “Improvements  We  Can 
Make.” 

At  the  night  session  the  Hon.  James  A.  Fowler  and  Bishop 
Hamilton  were  the  speakers. 

Among  the  resolutions  adopted  was  the  following: 


Resolved,  That  we  appreciate  the  faithful  and  efficient  work  of  our 
cabinet.  They  have  planned  wisely.  Under  their  management,  we  feel  that 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


17 


our  Laymen’s  Association  has  already  passed  beyond  the  stage  of  experi- 
ment, and  in  the  providence  of  God  is  to  become  an  important  factor  in 
the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom. 


In  publishing  the  3,000  copies  of  the  minutes  to  go  into  every 
charge,  the  Executive  Committee  made  this  special  appeal  to  the 
churches  in  the  conference: 

We  urge  the  officers  and  committees  in  every  church  to  make  adequate 
financial  provision  for  their  pastor’s  support  at  the  beginning  of  the  new 
year,  which  opens  so  hopefully.  The  information  that  comes  to  us  shows 
that  if  a systematic  financial  plan  was  adopted  early  in  the  year  and  energy 
applied  to  its  execution,  every  charge  in  the  Conference  could  and  would 
meet  all  claims  in  full.  In  the  first  week  of  the  new  year,  we  call  at- 
tention to  the  perils  of  delay  in  this  important  matter. 


❖ ❖ ❖ 


SECOND  YEAR’S  WORK. 

On  August  1st,  the  Executive  Committee  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  laymen  in  every  charge  in  the  Conference: 

We  are  within  two  months  of  the  close  of  our  Conference  year.  Has 
complete  provision  been  made  for  full  payment  of  your  pastor’s  salary? 

Last  yeiar  forty  charges  in  our  Conference  showed  a total  deficiency  of 
$3,426.  In  the  previous  year  fifty-one  were  short  a total  of  $3,992.  In 
1895  the  deficiency  was  $5,805  for  sixty-four  charges.  We  congratulate  you 
on  the  advance.  It  shows  a healthy  determination  to  improve  conditions. 

But  with  forty  charges  deficient  there  is  still  much  work  to  do.  The  es- 
timates of  the  salaries  are  usually  very  conservative.  Indeed,  we  are  con- 
vinced there  are  not  five  charges  in  this  Conference  that  could  not  with  a 
united  effort  meet  every  claim  in  full.  What  an  impetus  that  would  give 
our  whole  work ! How  much  better  work  our  ministers  could  do  if  they 
received  the  encouragement  best  expressed  in  full  salary  payments. 

Your  work  is  to  see  that  your  preacher  is  paid  in  full  before  he  goes  to 
Conference.  As  your  brethren  we  plead  with  you  to  see  that  this  work  is 
well  done.  Please  enlist  all  that  you  can  in  this  service,  but  do  not  wait 
for  anyone  else  before  beginning  your  own  efforts.  There  is  no  time  for 
delay.  What  is  needed  is  a holy  zeal  and  enthusiasm  to  pay  the  honest 
debt  we  owe  the  men  who  serve  us.  Is  it  not  utterly  repulsive  to  us  to  per- 
mit the  man  who  ministers  to  us  in  the  things  of  God — breaks  to  us  the 
bread  of  life — to  receive  utterly  inadequate  support  When  we  live  in 
comfort  ? 

On  August  23,  a meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  was  held  at  Knox- 
ville. A full  day  was  spent  in  considering  the  work  of  the  year  and  in 
planning  the  convention  program.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  follow- 
ing announcement  was  sent  to  each  charge  in  the  Conference: 

Reports  received  at  our  Knoxville  meeting  show  that  the  estimated 
pastors’  salaries  for  the  year  closing  have  been  increased  $2,374  beyond  last 
year.  And  every  district  reports  advances  in  the  matter  of  meeting  esti- 
mates. 

With  zealous-  effort  during  the  remaining  days  of  the  year,  every  Holston 
Conference  minister's  salary  can  be  paid  in  full.  We  do  uot  know  of  any 


18 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


other  achievement  that  would  mean  so  much  for  the  future  of  our  Metho- 
dism. We  beg  you  to  give  such  healthy  agitation,  personal  gifts  and 
thorough  co-operation  to  this  effort  as  will  make  this  splendid  result  possible. 
Oan  we  afford  to  let  this  opportunity  pass  to  so  greatly  aid  our  Zion? 


On  receipt  of  continued  favorable  reports  from  the  presiding 
elders  the  last  week  before  conference  the  committee  sent  out  the 
following  final  appeal  to  the  deficient  charges : 

Our  Laymen’s  Association  has  just  had  reports  from  each  presiding  elder 
in  the  Holston  Conference  for  the  closing  Conference  year.  They  show  a 
surprising  advance. 

The  increase  in  the  approved  estimates  for  salaries  over  1901  is  $2,374. 
Last  year  the  payments  were  $3,426  below  the  estimate,  forty  charges 
showing  a salary  deficiency.  To  pay  the  1902  salaries  in  full  would  mean  a 
net  advance  of  $5,800. 

The  most  conservative  view  of  the  situation  would  indicate  that  not  ex- 
ceeding fifteen  charges  could  be  short  this  year.  And  the  total  deficits 
can  not  apparently  be  more  than  $1,000. 

With  that  situation  facing  us,  we  cannot  do  less  than  make  a last 
appeal  for  the  extra  effort  and  sacrifice  necessary  to  close  out  that  last 
Sl‘,000.  So  near  the  goal  it  were  a pity  not  to  reach  it ! Is  it  too  much  to 
ask  that  where  deficiencies  are  threatened  all  the  people  join  during  the 
closing  week  of  the  conference  year  in  diligent  effort  to  pay  in  full  the  men 
of  God  who  have  ministered  to  them?  Who  will  put  so  low  an  estimate 
upon  the  privileges  and  blessings  of  his  religion  as  to  hesitate  to  do  that? 

Who  can  fairly  estimate  the  electric  influence  upon  all  our  work  of  the 
announcement  that  every  salary  claim  was  met  in  full?  What  an  open  door 
it  would  place  before  us?  Every  dollar  of  that  last  $1,000  will  be  worth 
ten  dollars  in  its  far-reaching  results. 

This  final  brotherly  call  is  to  stewards,  finance  committee®,  men  and 
women  throughout  the  work — not  one  waiting  for  another — for  very  love 
of  our  Zion  and  gratitude  to  God  place  these  few  needed  dollars  on  the 
altar  this  week  and  send  their  ministers  to  conference  with  glad  hearts. 


sj«  ❖ ❖ 


THIRD  CONVENTION, 

MARYVILLE,  OCTOBER  3,  1902. 


The  aggressive  work  of  the  year  had  attracted  much  attention, 
and  the  1902  convention  was  the  largest  held  up  to  that  time. 

On  Friday  morning  the  laymen  made  their  customary  visit  to  the 
Annual  Conference  session,  the  address  being  delivered  by  Bishop 
Walden.  The  pastor  set  aside  Friday  night  for  a laymen’s  mass 
meeting.  The  officers  of  the  association  all  rendered  encouraging 
reports.  In  part  the  president’s  report  stated : 

We  recognized  that  the  presiding  elders  hold,  to  a very  large  degree,  the 
key  to  the  financial  situation.  The  church  charges  them  with  the  general 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


19 


supervision  of  the  work.  Accordingly,  our  efforts  to  improve  the  existing 
conditions  have  been  put  forth  entirely  in  co-operation  with  them. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  we  informed  the  elder  in  each  district  that 
we  would  place  numbered  and  dated  collection  envelopes  at  his  disposal  for 
churches  that  had  not  used  them.  About  15,000  of  the  envelopes  were  thus 
supplied  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  envelopes  going  into  every  district. 
We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  use  of  these  envelopes  has  been  in- 
fluential in  bringing  about  advance  in  payments  in  many  charges. 

Since  arriving  ait  the  seat  of  the  conference.  I have  tried  to  ascertain 
the  exact  situation.  Your  hearts  will  be  made  glad  by  the  statement  that 
every  pastor  on  the  Clinton  and  Chattanooga  Districts  has  received  his  es- 
timated salary  in  full.  On  the  three  other  districts  only  small  deficiencies 
are  reported  at  three  places  in  each  district.  These  shortages  aggregate : 


Athens  District  $ 250.00 

Greeneville  District  $ 114.00 

Knoxville  District  $ 207.00 


A total  for  all  pastors  in  the  conference  of $ 571.00 


This  showing  indicates  that  our  pastors  have  received  $4,500  this  year 
more  than  last  year,  and  I think  that  much  more  than  any  previous  year; 
the  number  of  deficiencies  has  been  reduced  from  forty  to  nine,  and  the  sum 
short  of  estimates  from  $2,666  to  $571.  One  feature  of  the  salary  question 
the  presiding  elders  have  not  permitted  us  to  bring  forward  is  the  shortages 
on  their  salaries.  This  is  for  this  year  approximately  as  follows  : 


Athens  District  $ 50.00 

Chattanooga  District  $ 45.00 

Greeneville  District  $ 10.00 

Knoxvillei  District  $ 43.00 


Total  presiding  elders  $ 148.00 

Total  pastors  $ 571.00 


Grand  Total  ; $ 719.00 


In  their  consuming  desire  to  provide  their  pastors’  salaries  and  to  raise 
the  benevolent  apportionments  these  servants  of  the  church  have  had  no 
thought  for  their  own  compensation.  But  I have  felt  it  only  fair  that  this 
statement  should  be  made  to  you. 

We  hoped  every  claim  might  be  met  in  full,  but  the  advance  is  very  grati- 
fying and  reveals  a most  encouraging  outlook  for  the  future.  It  shows  what 
we  can  do  by  a little  united  effort.  It  shows  that  every  Holston  claim  for 
ministerial  support  and  benevolent  causes  can  be  met  in  full.  It  shows 
we  can  place  our  work  on  a self-respecting  basis  and  have  the  respect  of 
the  great  denomination  to  which  we  belong. 

Our  correspondence  has  developed  many  excuses  and  explanations  for  the 
failures  that  have  been  recorded.  The  main  reasons  seem  to  be  delays  in 
commencing  systematic  financial  work  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  and 
the  meager  work  possible  in  any  class  or  neighborhood  by  a minister  on  a 
large  circuit  of  eight  to  twenty  appointments.  It  would  not  be  fair  not  to 
recognize  that  some  laymen  of  standing  and  apparent  interest  in  the  church 
affirm  that  neglect  and  deficiencies  on  the  part  of  the  ministers  assigned  to 
them  is  the  cause  of  the  most  of  the  deficiencies  on  their  work.  Of  this  we 
can  only  say  here  that  no  charge  is  in  so  good  condition  to  insist  upon  high- 
grade  miniserial  service  as  one  that  pays  the  minister  well.  Bishops  and  pre- 
siding elders  will  not  send  their  efficient  men  to  charges  that  do  not  pay 
their  preachers.  And  the  authorities  of  the  church  will  certainly  divide  any 
large  circuit  if  the  support  provided  will  be  adequate  for  two  men. 


20 


THE  LAYMEN  S ASSOCIATION 


But  divide  starvation  support  for  one  between  two  families  and  it  requires 
no  expert  mathematician  to  figure  the  result.  So  we  must  recognize  today 
that  we  have  this  question  in  our  hands.  That  there  can  be  no  real  advance 
of  any  character  unless  we  men  and  women  here  today  and  those  like  us 
throughout  the  conference,  for  very  love  of  the  blessed  Lord  and  His  cause 
committed  to  us,  place  increased  offerings  upon  the  altars  of  our  Zion. 

Our  denomination  faces  an  inviting  open  door  to  East  Tennessee.  We 
are  on  the  eve  of  great  material  development.  Our  population  will  double 
in  a limited  number  of  years.  That  will  prove  a curse  instead  of  a blessing 
if  the  coming  thousands  are  not  provided  with  adequate  church  facilities. 
Our  traditions  as  pioneers,  out  splendid  polity,  our  sympathy  for  the  masses, 
or  harmony  with  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  new  century,  our  touch  with 
the  great  denomination,  all  logically  call  us  for  this  undertaking.  Also,  does 
not  our  natural  affection  for  our  own  children  prompt  us  to  lay  foundations 
for  an  enduring  work  in  which  they  will  find  a congenial  place?  Every  con- 
sideration demands  statesmanlike  plans  and  consecrated  endeavor  for  the 
church  we  love. 


After  presenting  his  report,  Treasurer  Fisher  spoke  of  the  small 
salary  deficit  shown  by  the  reports  for  the  year  now  closing,  and 
asked  that  the  deficits  of  $561  on  the  salaries  of  the  pastors,  and 
$148  on  the  salaries  of  the  presiding  elders,  respectively,  be  raised. 

President  Patten  joined  in  Mr.  Fisher’s  appeal,  and  in  a few 
minutes  the  whole  amount  of  each  deficit  was  met.  Then  the  dele- 
gates and  visitors  sang  “Praise  God  From  Whom  All  Blessings 
Flow.” 

Among  the  resolutions  adopted  was  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Holston  Conference  Lay- 
men’s Association,  be  directed  to  send  the  following  /appeal  to  every  steward 
in  the  conference  as  the  unanimous  expression  of  the  Association : 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  conference  every  pastor  and  pre- 
siding elder  has  received  his  salary  in  full.  This  shows  us  what  can  be 
accomplished  by  a united  effort,  and  must  be  a great  inspiration  for  the 
future.  Though  increased  above  any  previous  year,  the  average  payments 
to  our  pastors  is  only  about  $400.00.  We  appeal  to  the  churches  of  the 
conference  to  increase  their  estimated  salaries  for  1903  on  an  average  of 
20  per  cent.,  and  ask  them  to  meet  every  benovolent  apportionment  in  full. 
This  can  be  done  by  commencing  systematic  financial  work  in  securing  the 
pledges  of  the  people  in  the  very  first  week  of  the  conference  year  (without 
even  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  presiding  elder.)  Zealous  stewards  can 
arouse  a determined  effort  among  all  the  people  to  this  year  meet  the  de- 
mands of  the  church  in  a manly  way. 


❖ ❖ ❖ 

DUEHSTG  THE  THIED  YEAE. 

Immediately  following  the  1902  conference  session,  the  resolu- 
tions adopted  were  sent  to  laymen  throughout  the  conference,  and 
the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  presiding  elders: 

I am  sending  you  a copy  of  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  laymen. 
They  pledge  themselves  to  make  an  effort  to  increase  ministerial  support  20 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


21 


per  cent,  and  to  pay  all  benevolent  apportionments  in  full.  I do  not 
measure  the  situation  aright  if  that  is  not  a thoroughly  feasible  undertaking. 
I hope  it  will  commend  itself  to  you  as  the  reasonable  and  right  thing  to 
do.  Witli  fifty-five  ministers  receiving  less  than  $400.00 ; and  seventy-two 
less  than  $500.00,  surely  we  must  all  recognize  that  our  work  it  not  done. 
1 believe  the  results  we  have  seen  show  that  the  people  will  make  response 
when  this  situation  is  forcibly  brought  to  their  attention  and  they  are  given 
acceptable  pulpit  and  pastoral  service.  Copies  of  these  resolutions  have 
been  widely  distributed.  Won’t  you  please  see  that  they  are  brought  to  the 
attention  of  quarterly  conferences  and  estimating  committees  and  urge  the 
brethren  to  make  the  advance  that  is  called  for  and  that  would  be  easily 
provided  if  systematic  plans  were  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  year?  It 
can  certainly  be  pointed  out  to  them  that  the  1902  results  make  it  plain 
every  church  in  the  conference  can  without  outside  assistance  meet  its 
claims  in  full.  We  all  wlant  to  be  safely  conservative,  but  to  do  less  than 
the  laymen  have  suggested  would  seem  to  be  practically  a step  backward, 
under  all  the  circumstances. 


Receiving  information  in  Angnst  that  deficiencies  were  threat- 
ened in  a few  charges,  the  Executive  Committee  prepared  some 
“Final  Rally”  envelopes  and  sent  to  those  places  with  the  following 
letter : 


Your  presiding  elder  thinks  you  can  use  some  “'Final  Rally”  envelopes  to 
assist  in  securing  the  remaining  sum  needed  for  ministerial  support  and 
benevolence  on  your  work.  We  have  asked  the  printer  to  mail  you  some 
of  the  envelopes  that  are  being  used  at  other  places  on  the  district. 

We  trust  you  can  make  good  use  of  the  envelopes.  They  are  numbered 
and  it  may  help  to  keep  a record  of  the  number  and  the  person  to  whom 
it  is  given,  insisting  that  the  envelope  be  returned  with  a contribution  of 
some  amount.  Some  churches  will  set  a special  day  for  their  return.  The 
thing  is  to  use  them  and  every  other  means  at  hand  in  the  way  that  local 
conditions  approve,  to  secure  full  payments  of  all  claims. 

You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  very  favorable  reports  come  to  us  from 
every  part  of  the  conference.  Please  accept  our  gratitude  for  the  contribu- 
tions you  have  made  to  the  success  of  the  year.” 


FINAL  RALLY  1903 

To  Pay  Salaries  and  Benevolences  in  Full 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church 

Name 

No.  Amount 


On  September  1st,  the  committee  made  this  personal  and  final 
appeal  to  leading  laymen: 

Last  year  every  Holst  on  Conference  minister  received  his  salary  in 
full.  The  laymen  present  at  the  annual  meeting  of  this  association  decided 


22 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


that  full  payments  of  both  salaries  and  benevolent  apportionments  for 
1903  must  be  secured,  and  directed  us  to  make  every  effort  to  that  end. 
Reports  received  from  all  the  districts  say  the  present  condition  is  better 
than  last  year  at  this  time.  But  in  a few  churches  there  is  still  danger 
of  a shortage. 

It  is  only  twenty  days  until  our  ministers  must  leave  for  their  confer- 
ence session.  It  will  require  interest,  devotion  and  heroic  activity  through- 
out the  territory  to  make  a clean  record  possible. 

We  know  that  you  will  agree  with  us  that  for  the  advancement  of  His 
Kingdom  and  honor  of  our  work  rhese  claims  should  every  one  be  met. 
Our  ministers  and  the  great  Christian  benevolences  need  every  penny  that  is 
apportioned.  To  pay  it  strengthens  those  who  make  the  sacrifice,  and 
gives  the  church  a position  of  influence  and  power. 

, As  your  representatives,  we  bring  this  situation  and  opportunity  to  your 
attention  with  the  positive  assurance  that  if  every  person  who  receives  this 
letter  will  give  his  best  service  to  this  cause,  we  will  see  complete  victory  on 
September  23.  Will  you  do  that?  The  claims  are  reasonable.  The  amounts 
can  be  paid.  If  necessary,  please  take  a day  to  see  the  people,  and  explain 
the  urgent  need  of  immediate  generous  giving.  Advise  with  your  presiding 
elder  and  pastor  and  stewards  freely.  But  in  no  case  permit  anything 

to  interfere  with  full  payments  from  your  charge.  If  one  plan  does  not 

succeed  try  another.  If  necessary  have  a final  closing  rally.  One  enthusi- 
astic man  on  each  charge  can  make  that  result  certain. 

Bishop  Joyce,  who  presides  at  our  conference  and  who  gave  eight  years 

of  service  to  our  Southern  field,  is  very  anxious  that  this  shall  be  the  best 

year  in  our  history. 

Quick  action  of  devoted  men  and  women  is  only  necessary  to  bring  vic- 
tory. Let  us  know  if  we  can  aid  you.  We  hope  to  see  you  at  conference 
in  Knoxville. 


FOURTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION, 

KNOXVILLE,  TENN.,  SEPTEMBER  25-26,  1903. 


In  closing  his  report,  the  president  said : 

A careful  study  of  the  presiding  elders’  reports  and  the  published  statis- 
tical tables  will  be  necessary  to  secure  a fair  idea  of  the  results  of  the 
year’s  efforts.  But  it  can  now  be  stated  that  practically  every  pastor  and 
presiding  elder  has  received  his  estimated  salary  for  the  year  1902-1903  in 
full,  in  the  aggregate  nearly  $4,000.00  more  than  was  ever  paid  for  min- 
isterial s’ervice  in  the  conference  before  and  that  only  a few  charges  in 
three  districts  have  failed  to  meet  their  benevolent  apportionments  in  full. 
In  this  record  you  have  pleased  God,  honored  yourselves  and  given  your 
conference  a place  before  your  great  church.  The  result  must  be  to  bring 
greater  influence  and  greater  spiritual  victories  to  your  Zion,  as  it  must 
bring  enlarged  vision  and  soul  development  to  the  men  and  women  who 
have  done  the  work  and  paid  the  money  necessary  to  make  such  an  achieve- 
ment possible. 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


23 


Some  understanding  of  the  progress  of  our  work  can  be  obtained  from 
the  following  figures  from  the  conference  minutes  showing  the  amounts 
raised  for  all  purposes : 


1897  $ 55,075  00 

1898  63,608.00 

1899  73,608.00 

1900  82,643.00 

1901  72,027.00 

1902  87,255.00 

1903  118,641.00 


In  1900  our  people  paid  for  benevolences  an  average  of  thirty-three  cents 
per  member,  in  1901,  thirty-nine  cents ; 1902,  sixty-seven  cents ; in  1903, 
$1.06. 

The  part  of  our  association  in  their  remarkable  advance — this  almost 
financial  regeneration — does  not  need  emphasis  here.  We  give  all  credit  to 
presiding  elders,  pastors,  and  all  other  officials  and  individuals  who  have 
helped  to  make  this  achievement  possible.  There  is  indeed  “honor  enough 
to  go  round.”  But  this  new  organized  force  has  been  used  of  God  for  large 
results.  The  wisdom  of  the  organization  has  been  completely  justified  and 
our  duty  to  maintain  it  and  make  it  strong  is  made  plain.  In  the  old  days 
we  did  not  attempt  more  because  we  feared  no  more  could  be  accomplished. 
We  had  little  faith  out  men  and  women  could  all  be  induced  to  work  to- 
gether for  a desired  end.  Now  we  know  that  any  reasonable  carefully  con- 
sidered undertaking  laid  on  the  hearts  of  Holston  laymen  will  find  quick 
accomplishment. 

But  let  us  not  deceive  ourselves  with  the  idea  that  our  work  is  finished. 
Many  of  our  ministers  are  still  poorly  paid.  How  few  parsonages  we  have ! 
Charges  in  prosperous  communities  are  receiving  missionary  appropriations 
that  have  received  aid  for  years.  Great  sections  of  Bast  Tennessee  are 
almost  unchurched.  In  too  many  places,  the  popular  conception  of  the 
church  is  consuming  zeal  during  a two  weeks’  revival  period  and  mere  exist- 
ence during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  On  some  large  circuits  the  sole  ser- 
vice of  the  church  is  a monthly  preaching  service — little  pastoral  service, 
no  Sunday  school,  no  prayer  meeting,  no  real  church  life.  Our  realization 
of  our  financial  obligation  to  the  great  Kingdom  is  very  faulty.  Our  super- 
annuates are  hardly  cared  for  at  all.  /Illiteracy  is  decreasing  very  slowly, 
even  in  many  places  where  our  church  is  numerically  strong.  Our  educa- 
tional work  does  not  have  the  support  it  merits.  Too  few  qualified  young 
men  are  coming  into  the  ministry.  The  membership  of  our  church  has  in- 
creased but  little  in  years.  What  is  our  duty  today?  To  lay  plans  to 
solidify  and  strengthen  our  work  ! To  put  ourselves  in  thorough  sympathy 
with  every  line  of  effort  in  which  our  church  is  engaged.  Tb  face  our  weak- 
nesses and  difficulties  frankly  and  plan  for  their  correction.  To  emphasize 
with  all  our  people  that  our  work  is  a unit — that  what  affects  it  favorably 
or  unfavorably  in  one  part  vitally  affects  it  all. 


The  morning  was  given  to  a meeting  of  the  lay  electoral  confer- 
ence to  choose  delegates  to  the  general  conference.  In  the  after- 
noon, reports  of  the  officers  were  heard,  as  were  valuable  papers 
and  addresses  from  members  of  the  convention.  Addresses  were 
also  heard  from  Dr.  T.  B.  Neely,  secretary  of  the  Sunday  School 
Union ; and  Dr.  W.  F.  McDowell,  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion. 


24 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


At  night  a mass  meeting  was  held,  with  addresses  by  Mr.  John 
W . Fisher  and  Bishop  J oyee.  At  this  meeting  the  salary  deficit  for 
the  year  of  $552  was  presented,  and  the  amount  was  provided  by 
the  people  present. 

In  sending  out  the  minutes,  the  Executive  Committee  made  the 
following  statement : 


The  new  year  is  full  of  promise.  The  resolutions  printed  herewith  pledge 
the  association  to  definite  and  important  work  during  the  year,  viz  : 

United  Evangelistic  Efforts. 

Full  (Salary  'Payments. 

Full  Benevolent  Payments. 

Parsonage  for  Every  'Charge. 

School  Attendance  and  Support. 

Large  Conference  Claimant  Collection. 

Plans  will  be  perfected  for  this  work  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  your 
co-operation  is  earnestly  solicited.  Our  conviction  of  the  needs  of  the  work 
prompts  us  to  say  that  it  will  not  be  our  intention  to  again  make  pro- 
vision as  an  association  for  salary  shortages  at  the  end  of  the  year.  What 
has  been  done  for  two  years  shows  that  every  estimated  claim  can  be  pro- 
vided for  locally,  by  earnest  united  effort  beginning  early  in  the  year  and 
we  offectionately  urge  upon  you  the  obligation  of  each  charge  to,  without 
outside  aid,  provide  for  all  its  obligations.  This  we  are  persuaded  is  the 
reasonable  and  the  right  way  and  the  way  that  will  bring  the  largest  devel- 
opment to  our  whole  work.  Should  any  church  depend  on  this  organiza- 
tion instead  of  its  own  people,  the  organization  from  which  we  have  hoped 
so  much  would  be  an  injury  instead  of  a real  aid.  We  pray  that  a year  of 
victory  may  be  given  every  church. 


$ 


* 


FIFTH  ANNUAL  SESSION, 

NEWPORT,  TENN.,  OCTOBER  7,  1904. 


During  the  conference  year  1903-4,  appeals  were  sent  to  the  lay- 
men of  the  conference  both  directly  from  the  Executive  Committee, 
and  also  through  the  presiding  elders  in  each  district.  The  salary 
estimates  were  increased  $6,940  over  the  previous  year,  and  the 
same  were  paid  in  full. 

In  several  districts  of  the  conference  the  laymen’s  organization 
co-operated  with  the  presiding  elders  to  secure  well-equipped  evan- 
gelists for  rural  churches  and  as  a result  of  this  work,  about  8,000 
conversions  were  reported. 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


25 


Bishop  Warren  presided  at  the  conference,  and  during  the  fra- 
ternal visit  of  the  laymen’s  association,  paid  high  tribute  to  the 
work  that  was  done. 

An  attractive  program  was  rendered,  the  speakers  at  the  mass 
meeting  at  night  being  Bev.  Claudius  B.  Spencer,  editor  of  the 
Central  Christian  Advocate,  and  Bev.  A.  B.  Leonard,  secretary  of 
the  Missionary  Society. 

In  his  report  as  vice-president,  Charles  L.  Parham  said  in  part: 

A,t  the  beginning  of  the  year  I was  assigned  the  work  of  seeing  to  the 
full  payments  of  salaries  of  our  pastors  and  presiding  elders. 

Early  in  the  yejar  we  sent  out  appeals  about  loyalty  to  this  work  and 
after  the  presiding  elders  had  made  the  rounds  of  the  first  quarter  we 
made  up  a comparative  Statement  and  appeal,  giving  the  amounts  the 
minutes  of  the  last  conference  session  showed  had  been  paid  for  the  year 
1903-4  for  ministerial  support,  which  was  $51,697.  The  report  also  con- 
tained the  apportionments  for  the  year  1904-5  as  $58,051,  and  this  showed 
a net  increase  for  this  year’s  wTork  of  $6,954. 

We  showed  in  this  statement  that  the  average  amount  received  by  the 
ministers  of  our  conference  last  year  was  $474.30  while  this  year’s  ap- 
portionments showed  the  averages  as  $558.08. 

We  made  an  appeal  for  a larger  increase  in  the  salaries  of  the  men 
who  are  looking  after  the  work  on  the  poorer  circuits,  for  when  we  elimi- 
nated the  churches  who  paid  their  ministers  as  much  as  $1,000,  and  over 
per  year,  we  found  the  average  received  by  the  other  ministers  was  only 
about  $435.  We  feel  this  is  entirely  too  small,  and  also  find  some  charges 
where  the  pastor  only  receives  from  $150  to  $200. 

We  feel  proud  of  the  great  strides  that  have  been  made  during  the  past 
five  years  in  bringing  up  the  ministerial  support  in  our  conference,  but  we 
plead  for  better  support  for  the  least  paid  members  of  the  conference.  We 
believe  the  time  has  come  when  we  should  look  after  the  smaller  charges 
as  well  as  the  larger  and  make  plans  for  their  help.  Just  about  two 
months  ago  we  sent  out  another  appeal  to  give  encouragement  to  the  lay- 
men in  seeing  that  all  claims  are  met  promptly  that  the  reports  to  con- 
ference might  be  full  and  complete  and  an  honor  to  the  membership.  We 
are  pleased  to  note  from  the  presiding  elder’s  report  of  the  year  just 
closed  that  even  better  advances  have  been  made  than  the  first  apportion- 
ments indicated.  The  total  amount  received  for  ministerial  support  in  the 
conference  this  year  was  $58,572,  and  this  makes  a gain  over  last  year 
of  $6,875. 


In  printing  the  minutes  of  the  Fifth  Session,  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee said : 


The  marked  advance  again  shown  in  every  department  of  our  work  is 
very  gratifying  to  all  of  us.  The  increase  in  pastoral  support,  the  better 
benevolent  payments,  the  far-reaching  evangelistic  efforts,  the  improved  con- 
nectional  spirit,  the  larger  participation  of  laymen  in  the  real  work  of  the 
church — all  promise  greater  things  for  the  future.  Conditions  have  been 
created  that  make  more  pronounced  success  possible. 

The  resolutions  of  the  convention  pledge  us  to  special  efforts  to  secure 
a larger  circulation  of  our  church  paper,  the  Methodist  Advocate  Journal. 
To  put  this  publication  in  all  our  homes  would  be  the  best  guarantee  of 
•success  for  all  the  interests  of  our  Zion.  We  solicit  the  fullest  co-operation 


26 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


for  the  publishers  in  their  commendable  endeavors  to  supply  our  people  with 
needed  literature. 

If  the  stewards  in  every  charge  will  begin  at  once  to  provide  for  the 
year’s  expenses,  we  will  have  a year  of  victory.  We  appeal  for  prompt  and 
sustained  effort  in  that  direction.  The  same  suggestion  applies  with  equal 
force  to  the  benevolences  and  other  claims.  The  same  energy  this  year 
seen  alt  the  closing  of  the  year,  if  displayed  earlier,  would  show  a better 
record.  Let  us  regard  giving  more  and  more  as  a real  means  of  grace  that 
eo  Christian  can  safely  neglect. 

May  we  bring  one  more  burden  to  the  leaders  of  our  work?  The  unused 
power  and  strength  in  our  church  is  appalling.  Will  we  not  make  special 
effort  this  year  to  so  organize  our  forces  that  every  one  who  can  be  of  any 
service  may  be  utilized  in  some  way?  'Ciareful  planning  to  this  end  by 
pastors  and  people  would  bring  large  blessings  to  the  individual  and  the 
church. 


THE  YEAR  1905. 


During  the  year  1905,  the  association  prepared  some  stereopticon 
slides  relating  to  the  Holston  Conference.  Pictures  of  early  Meth- 
odist leaders,  even  back  to  Bishop  Asbury’s  time,  were  prepared, 
together  with  views  of  good  churches  and  Methodist  college  and 
university  buildings.  Much  statistical  information  was  also  put  on 
the  slides.  President  Patten  personally  visited  each  district  con- 
ference and  an  evening  was  given  to  these  historic  studies.  The 
Friday  night  during  the  conference  session  was  used  for  the  same 
purpose.  Such  information  as  the  following  was  presented  and  a 
very  deep  impression  made : 


1866  1901 


Members  13,915 

Churches  157 

Value  $ 86,752.00 

Benevolences  881.78 

Ministerial  Support  13,324.02 

Paid  all  purposes  13.928.65 


22,261 

333 

.$446,700.00 

7,912.00 

35.813.00 

75.163.00 


1904 

23,458 

351 

$556,789.00 
23,738.00 
52  822,00 
115,317.00 


The  average  salaries  paid  pastors  1897  to  1905 : 


In  1897 
In  1898 
In  1899 
In  1900 
In  1901 
In  1902 
In  1903 
In  1904 
In  1905 


$281.00 

318.00 

328.00 

341.00 

372.00 

400.00 

441.00 

445.00 

538.00 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


27 


A table  sucli  as  the  following  was  presented  for  each  district  to 
show  how  easily  the  amounts  asked  could  be  provided : 

CHATTANOOGA  DISTRICT. 


1904 

1905 

1905 

Members 

Paid  all 
Purposes 

Per  Member 

Salaries 

Per  Member 

Benevolences 

Per  Member 

Alton  Park 

79 

$ 605 

$ 7.65 

$ 891 

$ 1.12 

$ 42 

$ .53 

Avondale 

75 

507 

6.90 

552 

7.37 

58 

.92 

Big  Lick 

177 

283 

1.59 

235 

1.32 

23 

.13 

Crossville . 

69 

894 

12.81 

542 

7.86 

23 

.50 

Cumberland 

60 

197 

3.28 

15 

.25 

Daisy  

371 

688 

1.84 

663 

1.78 

54 

.14 

Dayton  and  Vine  Grove... 

233 

555 

2.38 

676 

2.90 

78 

.34 

Epworth 

34 

2,369 

69.73 

395 

1.13 

26 

.76 

First  Church 

740 

21,231 

28.77 

4,160 

5.62 

1,025 

1.37 

Fairmount 

20 

70 

3.50 

242 

12.10 

12 

.59 

Graysville. 

289 

1,454 

5.03 

456 

1.23 

77 

.26 

Highland  Park 

140 

2,013 

14.40 

880 

6.28 

236 

1.68 

Hill  City 

62 

1,041 

16.81 

555 

8.81 

98 

1.58 

Jasper 

95 

759 

7.93 

292 

3.07 

27 

.28 

Morgan  Springs 

188 

313 

1.66 

340 

1.27 

44 

.25 

Pikeville 

152 

406 

2.67 

316 

2.07 

50 

.33 

Ridgedale 

70 

692 

9.82 

553 

7.90 

33 

.47 

Rockwood 

180 

1,020 

5.30 

775 

4.01 

69 

.35 

St.  James 

96 

2,418 

24.78 

965 

10.05 

53 

.55 

Sherman  Heights  

65 

589 

9.08 

653 

10.04 

58 

.89 

Spring  City 

180 

486 

2.70 

388 

2.15 

33 

.18 

South  Pittsburg 

108 

958 

8.87 

613 

5.J67 

60 

.55 

Spivey  Memorial 

254 

Tracy  City 

208 

289 

8.75 

195 

.93 

15 

.72 

Whit  well 

314 

973 

2.09 

625 

1.99 

59 

.18 

Waldensia 

53 

291 

5.49 

160 

3.02 

6 

.12 

Total.. \ '.. 

4,071 

$40,904 

$16374 

$2,295 

SIXTH  ANNUAL  SESSION, 

HARRIMAN,  TENN.,  OCTOBER  13,  1905. 


Bishop  Fowler  delivered  a great  address  to  the  laymen  when  they 
came  for  a fraternal  visit  to  the  annual  conference,  Friday  morning. 
The  afternoon  was  given  to  the  usual  business  of  the  association. 


28 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


and  at  night  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  temple  was  crowded  with  people  to 
hear  the  President's  address  on  Holston  History,  presented  with 
the  aid  of  stereopticon  slides. 


SEVENTH  ANNUAL  SESSION, 

GREENSVILLE,  TENN.,  OCTOBER  12,  1906. 


During  this  year  much  attention  had  been  given  to  education. 
The  following  appeal  was  made  in  August : 


Our  colleges  are  about  to  open  their  doors  for  a new  school  term.  The 
academies  have,  some  of  them,  now  begun  their  year’s  work.  I write  this 
note  to  ask  if  you  have  fully  considered  the  significance  of  these  facts  as 
related  to  your  own  and  your  neighbor’s  children.  Don’t  you  think  the 
question  of  universal  education  is  about  the  most  serious  one  wie  face  in 
our  state? 

Tennessee  has  42,924  illiterate  native-born  whites  between  10  and  20 
years  of  age.  In  the  territory  of  the  Holston  Conference  we  have  at  least 
80,000  white  people  who  can  neither  read  nor  write.  The  illiteracy  among 
our  white  people  is  three  times  as  great  as  in  the  United  Stateis  taken  as 
a whole.  In  twenty-nine  of  our  counties  more  than  one-fifth  of  the  people 
are  illiterate. 

During  the  past  year  our  university  has  received  $200,000  permanent 
endowment.  Additional  buildings  or  equipment  has  been  provided  for  nearly 
all  of  our  schools.  People  of  means  have  become  interested  in  them,  and 
with  the  strongest  local  co-operation  they  will  be  able  to  serve  those  need- 
ing them  better  than  ever  before. 

We  have  the  schools.  Are  we  using  them?  Are  there  not  young  people 
in  our  neighborhoods  and  in  our  families  who  should  be  in  our  schools 
who  are  not  there?  In  their  behalf — in  the  name  of  the  unschooled  thou- 
sands at  our  very  doors — we  make  this  appeal  to  you  leaders  of  our  Zion. 
The  expenses  are  so  meager  and  the  opportunities  for  self-help  so  numer- 
ous that  every  boy  and  girl  in  East  Tennessee  could  have  and  should  have 
a liberal,  practical  education.  But  the  young  people  themselves  do  not 
always  know  just  how  to  bring  it  about.  Nor  do  they  realize;  all  that  it 
means  to  be  poorly  equipped  for  life. 

This  word  is  sent  as  a,  personal  request  to  you  to  put  the  young  people 
of  your  acquaintance  in  touch  with  our  schools.  If  they  hesitate  to  send 
for  catalogues  or  write  for  information,  please  do  that  for  them  or  send 
their  names  to  the  schools  to  which  they  should  go.  If  some  little  financial 
encouragement  should  be  necessary  for  a worthy  student,  remember  that  no 
money  is  so  well  spent  as  for  maintenance  of  education  and  religion. 

Our  schools  are  all  doing  good  work.  They  should  all  have  a larger 
support.  If  the  people  who  receive  this  appeal  will  give  a little  systematic 
consideration  to  the  situation  as  presented  they  w7ill  have  a larger  support 
this  year  than  ever  before.  Our  means  of  personal  responsibility  for 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


29 


educational  conditions  extends  just  so  far  as  we  are  able  to  make  conditions 
better.  To  turn  one  boy  to  a useful  career  through  a good  school  is  a 
material  contribution  in  the  right  direction. 

Can’t  YOU  today — this  week — induce  one  promising  young  person  to 
enter  the  University  or  some  of  the  affiliated  schools? 

There  was  an  increase  in  ministerial  support  of  $4,973  for  the 
year.  During  the  convention  the  interests  of  the  Methodist  Advo- 
cate-Journal, the  church  paper,  were  especially  considered. 

The  resolutions  conclude  as  follows : 

That  we  especially  pledge  our  influence  and  energies  to  the  solution  of 
our  educational  problems  to  the  end  that  the  alarmingly  disparity  between 
scholastic  enrollment  be  greatly  reduced  and  that  speedily.  With  this 
broader  question  is  the  more  personal  one  of  our  relation  to  the  youth 
about  us  who  should  attend  our  academies  and  universities.  As  Methodists 
we  have  a peculiar  obligation  to  our  Methodist  schools.  Our  Methodist 
youth  should  increasingly  be  fitted  by  a proper  educational  equipment  for 
the  duties  of  citizenship  in  church  and  state ; and  this  can  be  done  under 
the  guidance  of  our  ov/n  schools,  recognizing  always  the  place  of  the  public 
schools  in  elementary  training. 

We  commend  most  earnestly  the  plan  proposed  by  President  Patten  in 
his  annual  report  concerning  a reorganization  of  the  Advocate- Journal  and 
publishing  interests.  The  apportionment  of  this  fund  among  the  patron- 
izing conferences  should  make  the  task  comparatively  easy  of  accomplish- 
ment, especially  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  how  essential  this  organ  is  to  the 
life  of  our  Methodism  in  these  southern  conferences.  The  increase  of  our 
subscription  list  to  10,000  should  be  brought  about  at  once. 


* 


❖ ❖ 


EIGHTH  ANNUAL  CONVENTION, 

KNOXVILLE,  OCTOBER  11,  1907. 


On  Thursday  at  5 :30,  in  the  parlors  of  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  a dinner  was  served  complimentary  to  the  presiding 
bishop  and  members  of  the  conference,  the  officers  of  the  laymen’s 
association  being  the  hosts  of  the  evening.  Over  200  guests  were 
present.  After  dinner  responses  were  heard  from  Bishop  Wilson, 
Dr.  Edwin  B.  Olmstead,  Dr.  Luther  Freeman,  Dr.  J.  J.  Robinette, 
Hon.  Eugene  M.  Webb,  Mr.  Jno.  W.  Fisher  and  Dr.  R.  J.  Cooke 
The  lay  electoral  conference  consumed  Friday  morning,  the  dele- 
gates visiting  the  conference  at  the  close  of  the  election  of  general 
conference  delegates. 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


30 


In  the  afternoon  the  business  session  of  the  laymen’s  association 
was  held.  The  President’s  report  said  in  part : 


The  Holsiton  Conference  Laymen’s  Association  was  organized  by  laymen 
from  each  district  in  the  conference,  meeting  in  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Chattanooga,  in  October,  1900.  The  report  made  to  the 
Holst  on  Conference  that  year  showed  payments  to  pastors  and  presiding 
elders  of  $3*2,334;  for  benevolences,  $7,366,  and  for  all  purposes,  $82,643. 
That  year,  fifty-one  churches  were  deficient  in  paying  the  salaries  esti- 
mated by  the  quarterly  conferences. 

The  officers  and  executive  committee  chosen  at  the  Chattanooga  meeting 
made  an  earnest  effort  to  improve  that  situation.  At  the  end  of  the  year, 
forty  churches  showed  salary  deficiencies,  but  there  was  a large  gain  in 
the  aggregate  salaries  paid.  During  the  year  1902  a very  special,  organized 
and  united  effort  was  made  to  have  all  salaries  paid  in  full.  Laymen  ap- 
pealed to  laymen  to  make  a final  effort  for  victory  in  this  direction,  and 
by  providing  $700  at  conference  for  several  churches  still  deficient  in  small 
sums,  the  report  was  made  that  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
conference  every  pastor  and  presiding  elder  had  received  his  salary  in  full. 

In  1903  this  effort  was  repeated  and  the  benevolent  apportionments 
were  also  met  in  full.  During  the  intervening  years,  advance  has  been 
shown  regularly  until  the  minutes  of  1906  show  in  place  of  figures  reported 
for  1900,  pastors  and  presiding  elders,  $62,497;  benevolences,  $72,940; 
paid  for  all  purposes.  $177,410. 

It  is  confidently  believed  that  practically  all  of  the  apportionments  have 
been  met  and  I estimate  that  over  $240,000  has  been  provided  for  all 
purposes.  It  has  now  come  to  be  the  established  principle  with  our  churches 
that  every  estimate  must  be  met  in  full.  These  facts  are  recorded  for  their 
historical  value  and  as  an  inspiration  for  future  undertakings.  For  their 
accomplishment  the  Laymen’s  Association  has  been  glad  to  be  helpers  to 
the  faithful  presiding  elders  and  pastors  who  have  so  successfully  led  the 
work. 

Every  other  feature  of  the  work  has  shown  a corresponding  advance,  but 
financial  details  are  of  course  best  handled  through  statistics. 


EDUCATION. 

Our  University  and  its  affiliated  schools  have  been  steadily  strengthened 
and  are  now  doing  the  best  work  of  their  history.  The  church  has  spent 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  in  equipping  and  operating  these  schools. 
Their  aid  in  giving  us  a better  qualified  ministry  alone  would  entitle  them 
to  our  lasting  gratitude.  Through  them  it  is  now  possible  for  the  poorest 
boy  in  the  bounds  of  this  conference  to  have  a practical  education  that  will 
fit  him  for  almost  any  station  in  life.  But  the  matriculation  is  not  what 
it  should  be.  With  these  fine  schools  at  our  very  doors,  the  mass  of  our 
young  people  are  entering  upon  the  serious  business  of  life  with  but  indif- 
ferent preparation.  If  I could  make  but  one  appeal  to  you  today  it  would 
be  to  help  create  a passion  for  education  in  the  Holston  Conference— -in  all 
Tennessee  and  Virginia.  God  has  favored  us  with  a beautiful,  fruitful 
land  and  we  are  leaving  its  resources  almost  untouched  because  of  the  lack 
of  competent  men  to  unlock  Nature’s  secrets.  Do  you  know  that  because 
of  her  wonderful  educational  system  Massachusetts  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren earn  in  the  aggregate  almost  double  the  sum  earned  by  the  average 
men,  women  and  children  in  America?  We  cannot  ignore  the  economic  any 
more  than  the  other  important  phases  of  this  question.  Only  trained  men 
are  wanted  today,  anywhere.  The  ignorant,  the  incompetent,  the  mediocre 
find  no  place  in  this  age  of  competition.  Is  it  too  much  to  ask  that  each 
man  and  woman  here  today  will  this  year  personally  undertake  to  influence 


ITS  PLACE  m METHODISM 


31 


at  least  one  young  person  to  seek  a thorough  college  training?  Where  can 
you  be  more  practically  helpful  to  every  good  interest  in  church  or 
state? 

OTHER  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATIONS. 

One  gratifying  feature  of  our  work  is  that  the  influence  of  our  organiza- 
tion has  not  been  entirely  confined  to  the  limits  of  our  conference.  Presiding 
bishops,  official  visitors,  and  editors  of  the  church  press  have  generously 
commended  our  plan  of  organization  and  efforts  to  be  helpful  and  there  has 
been  quite  extensive  inquiry  about  our  work  from  laymen  of  other  confer- 
ences. Laymen  from  not  less  than  tweny-five  conferences  have  requested 
detailed  information  about  our  plans  of  operation.  A number  of  laymen  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  have  also  written  for  similar  infor- 
mation. 

Probably  about  one-half  of  our  conferences  now  have  laymen’s  associa- 
tions and  there  is  a growing  recognition  of  the  importance  of  these  organiza- 
tions and  a general  disposition  to  foster  their  work  in  every  practical  way. 
But  the  lay  associations  have  no  official  recognition  in  our  discipline.  I 
suggest  the  consideration  by  your  association  today  of  the  propriety  of 
adopting  a memorial  to  the  coming  general  conference  making  suitable  recog- 
nition of  lay  associations  in  our  church  discipline. 


FRATERNITY. 

We  labor  side  by  side  with  a sister  Methodism.  The  era  of  good  feeling 
prevailing  throughout  our  country  makes  the  obligation  to  Christian  frater- 
nity particularly  binding.  Let  us  be  especially  brotherly  and  considerate  in 
our  relations  with  our  friends  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
laboring  in  the  same  field  with  us.  This  great  denomination  is  doing  a 
work  that  merits  our  sincere  respect  and  highest  commendation.  Standing 
for  the  strengthening  of  our  work,  as  your  executive  has  tried  to  do  with 
consistency,  he  appeals  today  for  earnest,  united  efforts  to  avoid  friction 
and  competition  where  such  might  exist  and  for  the  cultivation  of  harmo- 
nious relations  and  unity  of  purpose  in  work  for  the  Kingdom.  Let  the 
question  of  the  relation  of  the  Church  South  to  any  community  where  we 
are  considering  a building  be  carefully  weighed  and  the  finest,  most  un- 
selfish, spirit  be  revealed  in  our  dealings  with  them.  It  is  clear  to  us  that 
our  organization  should  stand  in  letter  and  spirit  for  all  the  principles  of 
existing  federation  agreements,  and  that  we  should  constantly  favor  closer 
fraternity  and  harmony  of  purpose. 

THE  FUTURE. 

For  the  future  our  most  serious  danger  is  that  we  may  be  satisfied  with 
the  little  measure  of  success  that  has  come  to  our  work.  There  is  much 
yet  to  be  done.  Hardly  has  more  than  a beginning  been  made.  We  have 
people  of  means  and  we  have  increased  numbers  in  our  churches.  Better 
still,  wTe  have  people  of  intelligence  and  culture  necessary  for  a wise  use  of 
their  means  and  abilities.  But  we  need  an  awakening  among  many  laymen 
to  a sense  of  their  strength  and  to  a feeling  of  personal  responsibility. 
Because  our  laymen  often  do  not  realize  their  responsibility  and  therefore 
do  not  study  the  situation  and  become  actually  interested  in  the  affairs  of 
the  church,  conditions  exist  that  no  business  organization  would  tolerate 
for  a moment.  From  a less  strenuous  age  has  floated  down  to  the  present 
also  a dimly  conceived  notion  that  religious  organizations  need  none,  or 
if  at  all,  only  semi-business-like  systems  in  their  operations.  The  effect 
of  this  is  the  indifference  we  see  in  churches  everywhere.  To  look  after  the 


32 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


church  affairs  is  everybody’s  business,  and  therefore  no  one  attends  to  it 
properly.  (Competent  and  willing  workers  are  hard  to  find.  With  plenty  of 
the  best  material  at  hand,  our  Sunday  School  superintendents  have  the 
greatest  trouble  in  keeping  their  classes  supplied  with  teachers  and  work  in 
all  departments  drag  when  it  should  go  along  smoothly  and  effectively. 
Another  effect  of  this  indifference  on  the  part  of  the  laity  is  the  totally 
inadequate  support  still  given  so  many  pastors.  Probably  no  one  thing  so 
lowers  the  church  in  the  estimation  of  the  community  as  inadequate  minis- 
terial support.  Men  cannot  live  on  a self-respecting  plane  and  support 
a family  on  the  salary  even  now  paid  the  majority  of  our  preachers. 

“Until  we  have  competent  leaders,  able  and  willing  to  bear  the  necessary 
and  reasonable  burdens  of  the  local  churches  everywhere,  there  will  be 
need  for  the  most  aggressive  educational  and  inspirational  work  on  the  part 
of  this  association.” 

At  night  the  laymen’s  educational  mass  meeting  was  held,  with 
addresses  by  the  Hon.  Sidney  G-.  Gilbreath,  former  State  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Instruction,  and  Dr.  Wm.  F.  Anderson,  secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Education. 

At  this  meeting  Bishop  Wilson  and  President  Pace  presented  the 
opportunity  for  a $1,750  gift  on  the  purchase  of  a lot  for  a new 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Athens,  where  The  Athens  School 
is  located,  and  the  entire  amount  was  provided. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

First : We  recommend  to  the  cabinet  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  the 
suggestion  of  developing  in  more  effective  form  a laymen’s  association  in 
each  district. 

Second : Inasmuch  as  the  Laymen’s  Associations  have  at  present  no  offi- 
cial recognition  by  the  general  conference,  we  recommend  that  our  officers 
prepare  a memorial  urging  that  steps  be  taken  for  such  recognition  in  our 
discipline. 

Third : We  note  that  the  movement  for  the  adequate  endowment  for  the 
Advocate-Journal  and  our  southern  publishing  interests  has  made  good  prog- 
ress but  is  still  incompete,  and  we  urge  that  steps  be  taken  to  bring  about 
an  early  completion  of  this  undertaking  by  the  raising  of  the  full  quota  from 
each  conference  and  district. 

Fourth : We  recognize  the  solemn  obligation  resting  upon  us  to  provide 
for  our  retired  veterans  an  adequate  maintenance  and  commend  the  plan  to 
raise  a sum  of  not  less  than  $125,000  for  this  purpose.  To  this  end  we  rec- 
ommend that  a committee  be  appointed  consisting  of  one  layman  and  one 
minister  from  each  district  to  formulate  a definite  plan  that  can  have  the 
immediate  attention  of  the  next  annual  meeting  of  both  the  Laymen’s  As- 
sociation and  the  annual  conference. 

Fifth : We  commend  the  advance  steps  being  taken  by  the  officials  of  the 
state  of  Tennessee  in  their  efforts  to  bring  about  improvement  in  popular 
education. 

Sixth  : We  again  express  our  high  regard  for  and  unwavering  devotion 
to  our  great  central  school  for  the  south,  the  University  of  Chattanooga ; 
and  to  its  president,  the  untiring  worker,  leader,  Christian  statesman,  our 
friend  and  brother,  John  H.  Race.  The  $200,000  endowment  campaign  of 
last  year  so  successfully  concluded  under  this  man’s  generalship  excited  our 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


33 


admiration.  That  a victory  of  this  magnitude  should  be  only  the  founda- 
tion for  still  greater  achievements — the  incentive  to  undertake  even  the 
apparently  impossible — would  only  be  repeating  the  history  of  all  men  and 
institutions  that  have  been  worth  while.  We  now  learn  that  President 
Race  has  been  planning  to  increase  the  university  endowment  to  a half  mil- 
lion dollars  and  in  addition  provde  at  least  $100,000  for  new  buildings. 
That’s  a big  sum  but  it  is  no  bigger  than  our  need  or  our  faith.  To  Presi- 
dent Race  and  the  trustees  our  association  bids  a heartfelt  God-speed. 

Seventh : We  record  our  deep  appreciation  of  the  hospitality  of  our 
Knoxville  hosts,  of  the  helpful  press,  the  speakers  on  our  program  and  espe- 
cially to  President  Patten  and  the  Wesley  (Brotherhood  for  the  delightful  and 
profitable  social  evening. 

Eighth  : Finally  brethren,  let  us  continue  to  exemplify  and  enforce  the 
“Holston  Idea” — the  context  of  which  is  (1)  “meeting  every  obligation; 
(2)  helping  the  other  fellow;  (3)  strict  business  methods.” 


A BRIEF  HISTORY 


OF  THE  METHODIST  LAY  ASSOCIATION  OF  THE 
CALIFORNIA  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 


By  Rolla  V.  Watt. 


( Read  at  the  Twelfth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Association , 
held  in  1900.) 


\ 


As  a member  of  the  Lay  Ed ect ora/l  Conference  of  1887  I had  my  first  ex- 
perience in  such  a gathering  of  representative  Methodists  and  before  the 
close  of  the  first  session  I thought  I saw  an  opportunity  for  profitable  an- 
nual meetings  of  the  laity  in  connection  with  the  sessions  of  the  annual 
conference.  The  Lay  Electoral  Conference  afforded  this  opportunity  but 
once  in  four  years.  I thereby  suggested  that  an  unofficial  organization  be 
formed  which  should  meet  each  year.  The  proposal  met  with  considerable 
opposition  from  several  delegates  and  I remember  one  in  particular,  a 
minister’s  wife,  declared  that  such  annual  meetings  would  be  a menace  to 
the  ministers  and  that  the  laymen  would  use  the  opportunity  for  domineer- 
ing over  the  clergy.  The  minutes  of  that  conference  referred  to  the  subject 
in  these  words : 

The  matter  of  having  an  annual  meeting  of  lay  delegates  was  intro- 
duced by  Rolla  Y.  Watt  and  was  freely  discussed. 

No  decision  was  arrived  at  and  there  was  no  opportunity  to  discuss 
the  subject  again  but  just  before  adjournment  I requested  all  those  who 
were  willing  to  consider  the  feasibility  of  a permanent  organization  of  lay- 
men to  remain.  My  recollection  is  that  many  went  away,  but  that  fifty 
or  sixty  tarried,  some  out  of  curiosity,  other  to  oppose  and  a few  to  favor 
the  plan.  After  considerable  discussion,  however,  a committee  consisting 
of  the  writer,  Henry  Tregoning,  and  Peter  Bohl  was  appointed  to  con- 
sider the  matter,  with  authority  to  prepare  a plan  and  to  call  a meeting 
if  organization  seemed  feasible. 


The  call  which  was  sent  to  the  laymen  of  the  conference  is  as 
follows : 

It  is  scarecly  necessary  to  point  out  to  you  the  advantages  of  such  a 
meeting  as  this.  It  will  give  an  opportunity  for  the  laymen  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  each  other,  to  meet  and  know  the  pastors  of  the  various 
churches  throughout  the  conference,  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  annual  con- 
ference, which  are  always  interesting  and  profitable.  Besides  all  this  it 
would  afford  us  an  opportunity  to  talk  over  the  interests  of  our  church, 
compare  notes,  plan  for  the  future,  to  lay  out  new  and  important  work,  to 
learn  more  about  our  benevolent  enterprises,  and  last,  but  not  least,  to 
have  an  outing  amidst  very  pleasant  surroundings  which  will  be  a benefit 


ITS  PLACE  IN'  METHODISM 


of) 


to  body,  mind  and  spirit.  Do  all  you  can  to  make  this  a success ; see  that 
the  full  quota  of  delegates  is  elected  or  appointed  from  your  charge  and 
that  all  come.  Bishop  Fowler  authorizes  us  to  say  that  he  most  heartily 
approves  this  movement  and  that  he  is  very  anxious  that  it  shall  re- 
ceive the  active  co-operation  of  ministers  and  laymen. 


The  first  convention  was  called  to  order  by  Peter  Bohl,  Esq.,  of 
Sacramento,  a member  of  the  committee  on  organization.  The 
writer  presented  the  report  of  the  committee.  Two  committees 
wore  then  appointed,  one  upon  credentials  and  another  upon  perma- 
nent organization.  The  former  soon  prepared  a roll  of  delegates 
present,  notices  having  been  previously  sent  to  each  charge  re- 
questing the  election  of  representatives  to  this  body.  The  commit- 
tee on  permanent  organization  recommended  the  following  officers, 
who  were  duly  elected : 

President — J.  W.  Whiting.  San  Francisco. 

Vice-Presidents — J.  M.  Buffington,  Oakland ; Peter  Bolil,  Sacramento ; 
Mrs.  iS.  E'.  Coe,  Napa. 

Secretary — iW.  F.  Gibson,  San  Francisco. 

Assistant  Secretary — /F.  iH.  Gaines,  Berkeley. 

Corresponding  Secretary — C.  A.  Maydwell,  Sacramento. 

Treasurer — W.  H.  Keeler,  Stockton. 

During  the  presentation  of  these  reports  the  members  of  the 
committee  made  brief  remarks  concerning  the  possibilities  of  the 
association  and  upon  taking  his  chair  President  Whiting  made  a 
stirring  speech  upon  the  objects  of  the  organization  and  the  bene- 
fits which  might  be  expected  to  accrue  to  the  church  from  such  a 
gathering.  His  remarks  were  received  with  great  applause. 

The  committee  on  permanent  organization  recommended  the 
adoption  of  the  plan  of  permanent  organization  suggested  by  the 
special  committee  and  “that  a vote  of  thanks  be  tendered  to  the 
committee  for  their  arduous  labors  in  bringing  about  this  conven- 
tion.” These  recommendations  were  unanimously  adopted.  An 
excellent  programme,  covering  a number  of  topics  was  then  pre- 
sented. Dr.  W.  A.  Spencer,  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Church  Extension  was  present  and  highly  commended  this  move- 
ment of  the  laity  and  predicted  that  it  wouid  spread  throughout  the 
whole  Church. 

It  is  obvious  that  in  such  a brief  history  as  this  we  cannot  even 
summarize  the  various  papers  and  addresses  which  have  been  pre- 
sented to  the  association  during  the  twelve  years  of  its  existence, 
although  an  examination  of  the  subject  has  proved  very  interest- 
ing to  me.  I find  that  the  minutes  of  our  several  sessions  are  suffi- 
ciently full  to  enable  any  one  by  a little  investigation  to  learn  the 
names  of  all  of  our  officers,  the  names  of  those  who  have  partici- 


THE  LAYMEN  S ASSOCIATION 


36 

paled  in  our  programmes  and  the  subjects  upon  which  they  have 
written  or  spoken.  There  have  been  many  able  papers;  some  of 
them  have  indeed  been  extraordinary  productions.  Without  making 
invidious  comparisons,  I think  it  will  be  admitted  that  the  most 
brilliant  and  comprehensive  presentation  of  any  subject  at  any 
session  was  the  paper  or  address  of  Miss  Sarah  Severance  of  Gil- 
roy, upon  “The  Admission  of  Women  to  the  General  Conference.” 
The  discussions  in  regard  to  the  polity  of  our  Church  have  been 
helpful  and  broadening  in  their  influence  and  we  have  no  doubt 
but  that  the  discussion,  first  by  our  Lay  Association  and  after- 
wards by  similar  organizations  in  other  Conferences,  of  the  subject 
of  equal  representation,  has  done  much  to  bring  about  the  change 
in  sentiment  in  the  Annual  Conferences  which  has  at  last  given 
us  our  rights  in  this  respect. 

The  practical  character  of  these  discussions  will  be  indicated 
from  a few  of  the  topics  picked  out  at  random  from  the  programmes 
which  have  been  presented  here: 

Permanent  Organization  for  the  care  of  Superannuates. 

Pastoral  Support  in  Weak  Charges. 

Lay  Representation  in  the  Annual  Conferences. 

What  We  Ought  Reasonably  to  Expect  from  the  Pulpit. 

Duties  of  the*  Quarterly  Conference. 

Business  Methods  in  Church  Finance. 

The  Literary  and  Social  Work  of  the  Church. 

Practical  Church  Work  in  Our  Cities. 

Should  the  Time  Limit  be  Removed? 

Should  the  Officiary  of  the  Church  be  Chosen  by  the  Congregation? 

Church  Debts  and  flow  to  Avoid  Them. 

Church  Socials  as  a Means  of  Grace. 

The  Church  Member  in  Politics. 

The  Church  and  Social  Reforms. 

A Modified  Form  of  Episcopal  Itinerancy. 

The  Individual  Cup. 

The  Place  of  Laymen  in  the  Government  of  Our  Church. 

Woman’s  Mission  in  the  Church. 

At  the  very  first  session  steps  were  taken  to  form  a permanent 
organization  for  the  support  of  Conference  claimants.  At  the  same 
association  the  constitution  under  which  we  are  at  present  working 
was  adopted. 

At  the  second  annual  meeting  held  September  12,  1889,  the 
writer  was  elected  President  and  during  the  session  the  “distress 
flag”  was  raised  over  the  Episcopal  residence.  A committee  re- 
ported suggesting  that  the  property  be  abandoned,  but  this  report 
was  received  with  ill-favor  and  since  the  taking  of  a collection  was 
against  the  rules  of  the  association,  the  association  resolved  itself 
into  a committee  of  the  whole  and  then  proceeded  to  the  task  of 
providing  for  the  indebtedness  upon  the  property  In  a few  min- 


ITS  PLACE  IX  METHODISM 


37 


utes  nearly  $10,000  was  subscribed  and  since  this  fully  provided 
for  the  debt  the  doxology  was  sung.  A telegram  was  sent  Bishop 
Fowler  as  follows: 


Lay  Association  extends  greeting.  Episcopal  debt  ten  thousand  dollars 
fully  provided  for  today. 


To  this  Bishop  Fowler  replied: 


Congratulations  and  many  thanks  for  laymen’s  liberality  and  success. 


The  third  annual  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  September 
11th,  1890.  Peter  Bohl,  Esq.,  of  Sacramento,  was  elected  Presi- 
dent. At  this  session  the  trustees  of  the  Belief  Association  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  were  elected  and  that  organization 
was  duly  launched  on  its  mission  of  usefulness. 

The  fourth  association  was  held  September  10th,  1891.  Chaun- 
cey  Gaines,  Esq.,  of  Berkeley,  was  elected  President.  The  Lay 
Electoral  Conference  of  that  year  passed  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  our  delegates  are  hereby  requested  to  explain  to  the 
General  Conference  the  nature,  objects  and  results  of  the  Lay  Association  of 
the  California  Annual  Conference  and  to  seek  to  have  thiat  body  recommend 
similar  associations  in  all  the  Annual  Conferences  of  our  church. 


The  fifth  annual  meeting  was  held  September  8th,  1892.  Myron 
T.  Holcomb,  Esq.,  of  Oakland,  was  elected  President.  During  this 
session  Bishop  John  H.  Vincent,  D.  D.,  delivered  an  admirable 
address  in  the  course  of  which  he  highly  commended  the  work  of 
the  association. 

The  sixth  annual  session  was  held  September  7th.  1893.  Bobert 
Husband,  Esq.,  then  of  Atlanta,  now  of  San  Francisco,  was  elected 
President.  A feature  of  this  meeting  was  an  excellent  concert  ren- 
dered under  the  auspices  of  Mr.  Husband. 

The  seventh  session  was  held  September  14th,  1894,  S.  E.  Holden, 
Esq.,  of  Napa,  being  the  President. 

The  eighth  annual  meeting  was  held  September  13th,  1895,  C. 
B.  Perkins,  Esq.,  of  San  Francisco,  President.  The  attendance 
this  year  was  unusually  large  and  it  was  at  this  session  that  the 
notable  paper  on  “The  Admission  of  Women”  was  read  by  Miss 
Severance. 

The  ninth  annual  meeting  was  held  September  11th,  1896,  Henrv 
Tregoning,  Esq.,  of  College  Park,  was  duly  elected  President. 

The  tenth  meeting  was  held  September  17th,  1897,  with  Henry 
Morton,  Esq.,  of  San  Jose  as  President. 

• The  eleventh  annual  session  of  the  association  was  held  Septem- 


38 


THE  LAYMEN  S ASSOCIATION 


ber  15th,  1898,  with  L.  J.  Norton,  Esq.,  of  Napa,  as  chief  executive. 
Our  friend  Bev.  W.  A.  Spencer,  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  present 
at  the  first  session  was  again  with  us  last  year.  He  delivered  an 
enthusiastic  address  at  the  afternoon  session  and  was  pleased  to 
designate  the  Lay  Association  of  the  California  Annual  Confer- 
ence as  “the  most  significant  body  of  men  in  all  Methodism.” 

At  our  several  sessions  we  have  been  highly  favored  by  the  pres- 
ence of  Presiding  Bishops  and  visiting  General  Conference  officers. 

All  of  the  sessions  of  the  Lay  Association  have  been  well  at- 
tended. The  debates  which  have  followed  the  addresses  have  been 
quit  as  interesting  and  profitable  as  the  addresses  themselves  and 
have  been  valuable  in  drawing  out  the  opinions  of  the  laity  regard- 
ing the  important  matters  under  discussion.  We  have  demonstrated 
the  fact  that  we  arc  deeply  interested  in  the  great  questions  pend- 
ing before  the  Church.  Moreover,  we  have  originated  some  of  the 
discussions  ourselves.  We  have  gradually  become  acquainted  with 
each  other.  We  have  learned  to  sympathize  one  church  with 
another  and  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  the  blessings  and  difficul- 
ties are  not  confined  to  one  locality.  Because  of  the  mutual  encour- 
agement here  received  we  have  returned  to  our  several  charges  year 
after  year  with  a fresh  determination  to  do  our  very  best  for  the 
Master. 

Tiie  Presiding  Elders  freely  admit  the  broadening  influence  upon 
the  laymen  who  have  attended  these  annual  meetings.  The  fact 
that  our  sessions  are  thronged  with  ministers  as  well  as  laymen, 
is  evidence  of  the  interest  taken  in  this  movement.  Although  we 
have  not  hesitated  to  express  our  views  upon  the  subjects  under 
consideration  by  the  Church  such  expressions  have  been  temper- 
ately made  and  our  brethren  of  the  ministry  have  had  no  occasion, 
we  believe,  to  regret  our  presence  at  their  annual  place  of  meeting. 

As  we  look  over  the  names  of  those  who  have  participated  in  our 
programmes  or  who  have  been  officers  of  this  association  we  note 
that  many  of  them  have  gone  to  their  long  reward.  We  believe 
they  have  received  an  abundant  entrance  into  the  Kingdom.  We 
recall  of  those  who  have  passed  to  the  other  side  the  following  who 
were  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  this  association : 

Hon.  J.  M.  Buffington.  John  R.  Sims,  G S.  Keyes,  “Father”  C.  A. 
Lehman.  Hon.  Chancellor  Hartson,  Samuel  Hancock,  Mrs.  Charles  Goodall, 
James  A.  Clayton,  L.  P.  Kraffit.  T.  P.  Williamson.  E.  W.  Playiter,  John 
Tregloan,  Elisha  Higgins,  and  this  year,  Capt.  Charles  Goodall,  Harry  E. 
Snook. 

In  conclusion,  I may  mention  that  similar  organizations  to  ours 
have  been  formed  in  different  sections  of  the  country,  notably  in 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


39 


the  Philadelphia,  the  Cincinnati  and  the  Rock  River  and  the  Balti- 
more Conferences.  There  may  be  and  doubtless  are  others,  but  of 
them  I have  no  particulars.  The  three  named  are  prosperous 
organizations.  We  have  had  considerable  correspondence  with 
them  and  unless  we  are  diligent  and  enthusiastic  in  our  work  they 
will  surpass  us  in  their  accomplishments.  But  credit  has  been 
given  us  as  the  founders  of  the  association  idea  and  I believe  our 
constitution  verbatim  has  been  adopted  by  all  of  the  associations 
above  named.  Without  boasting  we  may  say  that  the  movement 
has  proven  its  right  to  life  and  growth  and  that  our  beloved  Church 
will  profit  by  its  extension  throughout  all  of  the  Annual  Confer- 
ences. 


FROM  LAYMEN’S  ASSOCIATION  OFFICERS. 


From  H.  L.  Cookingham,  M.  D.,  of  Red  Hook,  N.  Y.,  President 
New  York  Conference  Association: 

I regard  the  work  of  the  Lay  Association  as  of  the  utmst  importance, 
for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  It  brings  the  men  of  the  various  churches  in  contact ; gets  them  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  each  other. 

2.  It  opens  up  before  them  the  opportunities  for  work  of  which  they 
knew  nothing,  and  the  reading  of  papers  on  appropriate  and  timely  topics 
shows  them  the  way. 

3.  They  meet  the  officers  of  the  Church : Bishops,  secretaries,  district 
superintendents,  etc.,  and  it  inspires  an  enthusiasm  to  them  before  unknown. 

I cannot  speak  too  strongly  of  its  beneficial  influence  to  the  average 
layman.  It  gives  him  an  opportunity  of  informing  himself  with  what  a 
great  church  he  is  connected. 


❖ 


* * 


From  C.  W.  Fleslier,  of  Gkissaway,  W.  Va,,  President  West  Vir- 
ginia Conference  Association: 

We  have  a great  field  in  West  Virginia,  comprising  eight  districts,  about 
250  charges,  and  a good  Church  school  in  our  borders  at  Buckhannon.  We 
were  short  on  pastor’s  salary  last  year  $8,682  with  not  a district  paid  up 
in  full,  one  district  falling  behind  in  22  charges  with  $2,130  deficit  to  the 
pastor’s  support.  This  is  a very  sad  state  of  affairs  when  we  consider  the 
small  salary  that  is  fixed  any  way. 

Our  organization  was  formed  last  October  and  I was  honored  with  the 
presidency.  We  have  received  a very  hearty  response.  We  will  dwell  upon 
this  one  thing  till  our  pastor’s  salaries  are  all  paid  in  full.  "We  had  one 
meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee,  at  which  the  elders  were  invited. 

The  best  way  to  organize  is  to  have  at  least  one  active  lawman  from 
each  charge  selected  by  the  fourth  quarterly  conference  for  the  year, 
to  attend  a meeting  at  the  same  time  the  annual  confrence  is  held  and  then 
meet  on  Friday  of  the  week  of  the  annual  conference  and  organize.  Have 
at  least  one  active  layman  from  each  district  prepare  to  address  the  meet- 
ing on  the  value  of  such  an  association. 

The  way  that  the  association  can  be  of  most  help  to  the  conference  and 
local  interest  is  to  get  the  laymen  interested  in  the  general  affairs  of  the 
church,  and  to  create  a pride  in  having  the  very  besc  results  in  each  church. 


I 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM  41 

From  0.  K.  Morgan,  of  Farmington,  111.,  President  Illinois  Con- 
ference Association : 


In  organizing  it  seems  to  be  the  first  thing  is  to  bring  something  needed 
before  them  that  can  be  obtained  by  the  organizations.  One  of  the  objects 
we  are  working  for  is  to  encourage  the  act  of  tithing  by  our  people,  which 
we  believe  will  solve  the  financial  troubles  of  our  churches. 

Our  association  has  been  of  practical  value  in  many  ways,  one  of  which 
is  a better  understanding  between  ministers  and  laymen  and  many  others 
that  develop  as  the  association  comes  in  touch  with  the  conference. 


From  E.  P.  Soper,  of  Emmetsburg,  la.,  President  IN’.  W.  Iowa 
Conference  Association : 


It  is  my  view  that  Laymen's  Associations  must  have  some  work  to  do. 
or  else  they  have  no  excuse  for  an  existence.  I am  of  the  opinion  that  the 
organization  into  Laymen’s  Association  is  a work  that  is  productive  of 
good.  The  best  time  to  reach  the  laymen  and  get  up  an  organization  is  the 
time  when  they  met  in  their  lay-electoral  conference,  unless  you  take  the 
matter  up  in  each  conference  and  get  some  one  interested,  who  will  secure 
from  the  presiding  elders  in  the  different  districts  a list  of  a live  layman  at 
each  of  the  preaching  points,  and  invite  them  to  come  out  at  the  time  of 
the  holding  of  the  conference  and  join  in  the  organization  of  an  associa- 
tion, and  promise  them  some  good  speakers. 


From  Edg.  Bowman,  Ida  Grove,  Iowa,  Secretary  Northwest 
Iowa  Conference  Association: 


The  minutes  of  this  Association  record  the  programs  of  nine  annual 
sessions,  and  disclose  addresses  of  great  value,  with  intimation  of  animated 
discussions  of  the  same,  covering  such  subjects  as  aggressive  evangelism, 
Christian  education,  church  polity.  Sunday  'School  interests,  betterment  of  the 
condition  of  the  Superannuates.  This  later  subject  became  a vital  issue 
two  years  ago.  taking  concrete  form  in  the  organization  of  a practical  plan 
to  raise  an  endowment  of  $150,000,  within  the  limits  of  this  conference. 

This  plan  was  entrusted  to  one  district  superintendent  in  each  con- 
ference district,  under  a general  superintendent,  having  jurisdiction  over  the 
whole  work  ; a lay  committee,  at  each  charge  , with  the  local  pastor  co-operat- 
ing. Divers  methods  obtained  in  the  canvass ; an  educational  propoganda  of 
printed  circular  lettei\s,  personally  written  letters — of  explanation  and  ap- 
peal ; suitably  programmed  celebrations  of  “Old  Folks”  or  “Veterans”  day — 
on  which  occasion  funds  were  solicited  for  the  Superannuated  Endowment 
Fund. 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


42 


This  special  effort  by  our  association  evinces  the  value  of  special  work 
to  keep  alive  and  develop  Lay  Associations. 

Splendid  success  has  crowned  the  endeavor,  with  promise  of  greater 
achievement  in  the  future.  The  financial  feature  has  not  proven  larger 
than  the  educational  influence ; hardly  as  of  as  much  moment  as  the  heart- 
to-heart  interest  awakened. 


* 


From  Ed.  L.  Young,  Norwalk,  Ohio,  President  North  Ohio  Con- 
ference Association: 

For  twelve  years  we  have  had  a Lay  Association  in  our  North  Ohio 
conference.  I think  our  association  has  been  especially  beneficial  in  im- 
pressing upon  lay  members  generally  the  individual  responsibility  for  the 
success  of  the  church  to  which  he  belongs.  'Church  finances  have  had  a 
wide  and  beneficial  discussion  and  this  has  done  much  good.  One  of  the 
most  promising  developments  of  our  association  influence  recently  has  been 
the  impetus  given  to  the  organization  of  men’s  Bible  classes  and  church 
brotherhoods,  and  this  is  still  growing.  The  programs  for  our  association 
should  be  made  more  practical  and  the  discussions  more,  exhaustive  There 
has  been  a tendency  to  take  up  the  many  phases  of  work  in  a single  program. 
My  experience  is  that  we  should  feature  our  programs.  Make  the  dis- 
cussions exhaustive.  Those  who  lead  the  discussions  should  be  chosen  for 
their  especial  fitness  and  tell  us  how  things  have  been  done  rather  than 
how  things  ought  to  be. 


From  J.  Luther  Taylor,  Pittsburg,  Kansas,  Secretary  South  Kan- 
sas Conference  Association : 


I am  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  25th  ult.,  and  note  what  you  say 
concerning  the  'Lajunen’s  Association  of  our  church.  I have  taken  a great 
deal  of  interest  in  this  work  and  feel  very  well  repaid  thus  far  for  the 
amount  of  work  we  have  done  in  our  conference.  The  spirit  of  the  organ- 
ization is  taking  very  firm  root  and  I believe  within  three  years’  time  the 
fact  of  a preacher  going  to  conference  without  being  paid  in  full  will  be  a 
thing  of  the  past. 

The  deficiency  in  salaries  the  year  we  organized  our  Laymen’s  Association 
was  a little  over  $2,220,  the  second  year  something  like  $1,400,  and  last 
year  it  came  up  to  $1,500,  but  this  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  two  of 
the  points  in  our  district  were  in  very  bad  shape  and  were  not  taken  hold 
of  soon  enough  to  bring  them  up.  For  the  first  time  in  the  South  Kansas 
Conference  we  hope  this  year  to  see  that  every  preacher  is  paid  in  full,  and 
believe  we  can  do  this  although  the  extreme  wet  weather  we  have  been 
having  this  spring  may  have  some  effect  on  salaries,  but  Kansas  usually 
comes  out  of  the  kinks  all  right  and  we  hope  to  end  the  year  in  good  shape. 
We  hope  to  get  the  other  three  conferences  in  the  state  organized  this 
coming  year. 


ITS  PLACE  IX  METHODISM 


43 

From  J.  H.  Inch,  of  Missoula,  Mont.,  President  Montana  Con- 
ference Association : 


The  Montana  Laymen’s  Association  was  organized  in  August  last.  The 
letter  head  on  which  this  is  written  will  indicate  our  ideals,  as  follows. 

OUR  IDEALS 

Every  church  member  a tither. 

Every  conference  claimant  in  comfort. 

Every  pastor  receiving  a living  support. 

Every  benevolent  collection  taken  in  full. 

A Christian  Advocate  in  every  home. 

Montana  Wesleyan  University  adequately  endowed. 

Every  charge  to  have  a gracious  revival. 

I may  say  that  this  is  a copy,  wth  local  adaptatons,  of  the  letter  head 
of  the  Oregon  Laymen’s  Association,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  valuable 
help.  If  you  have  ever  been  through  Montana,  you  will  know  that  our 
cities  are  comparatively  small  and  our  distances  magnificently  great.  It  is 
harder,  therefore,  to  make  such  an  organization  as  this  active  and  helpful 
as  it  might  be  in  more  thickly  populated  communities.  However,  our  or- 
ganization has  already  awakened  new  interest  in  some  quarters,  and  to  give 
it  a practical  side,  we  have  assumed  $600.00  per  year  for  five  years  of  the 
salary  of  the  Chancellor  of  the  Montana  Wesleyan  University,  at  Helena. 
This  is  a struggling  institution,  which  we  believe  has  a bright  future,  but  it 
will  take  some  years  of  self-sacrifice  on  the  part  of  Montana  Methodism. 
We  are  seeing  to  it  that  a separate  collection  is  taken  in  each  charge  for 
conference  claimants,  instead  of  being  omnibused  in  with  the  benevolences. 

During  the  coming  year  we  propose  to  make  an  effort  to  make  up  the 
deficiencies  in  salaries  of  those  pastors  who  get  less  than  $1,000  per  year, 
all  told : this  to  be  done  by  a committee  conversant  with  all  the  facts  in  the 
case,  so  as  to  avoid  injustice  or  imposition.  It  is  our  intention  to  meet  an- 
nually at  the  time  and  place  of  the  annual  conference. 


From  W.  A.  Sanford,  Waverly,  Pa.,  Secretary  Wyoming  Confer- 
ence Association : 

The  great  lack  of  Methodist  lay  members,  I believe,  is  a thorough  under- 
standing of  our  principles,  both  of  government  and  creed,  and  I believe  a 
properly  organized  association  will  bring  laymen  in  touch  with  the  work 
of  the  church,  so  that  they  will,  as  a whole,  feel  more  responsibility,  or,  to 
turn  the  word  about,  to  feel  more  their  ability  to  respond. 

A lay  association  may  be  useful  in  many  ways,  and  especially  in  affording 
laymen  an  opportunity  to  express  their  views  on  various  subjects  on  the 
floor,  and  enlist  in  debates  concerning  the  work  of  the  church,  and  thus  train 
themselves  to  be  competent  legislators,  which  has  now  become  incumbent 
upon  them  in  a larger  degree  than  formerly. 

We  have  been  organized  four  years  and  have  already  begun  to  provide 
Avays  to  enlarge  the  salaries  and  sustain  the  superannuates  more  generously., 
and  hope  to  push  the  work  until  our  poorly  paid  ministers  are  better  paid 
and  the  superannuates  are  looked  after  more  substantially. 


44 


THE  LAYMEN'S  ASSOCIATION 


From  H.  B.  Williams,  Chicago,  Illinois,  Secretary  Bock  River 
Conference  Association : 


The  Laymen's  Association  of  Rock  River  Conference  was  organized 
October  8.  1897.  The  minutes  state  the  purposes  of  the  association  to  be 
as  follows : 

First — Efforts  to  secure  equal  lay  representation  in  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

Second — To  inaugurate  a movement  for  lay  representation  in  the  Annual 
Conference. 

Third — The  discussion  of  all  prominent  church  topics  from  the  lay- 
man’s standpoint. 

Fourth — To  afford  opportunities  for  laymen  to  become  better  acquainted 
and  interested  in  each  other. 

We  immediately  began  the  agitation  for  equal  lay  representation,  which, 
as  you  know,  was  successful.  We  more  recently  took  up  the  subject  of 
better  pastoral  support  and  have  sent  out  many  thousands  of  circulars  and 
pamphlets  on  the  subject  and  this  important  matter  is  now  being  discussed 
throughout  all  Methodism. 

Too  large  a proportion  of  our  church  work  has  been  loaded  on  the  min- 
istry. 1 believe  there  should  be  a Layman’s  Association  in  every  confer- 
ence. for  the  more  our  laymen  know  and  think  and  talk  about  the  work 
of  our  churches  the  greater  the  interest  they  will  take  in  it. 


From  John  T.  Stone,  of  the  Baltimore  Conference  Association : 

This  association  has  been  in  existence  a number  of  years,  probably  fifteen 
or  more  Up  to  the  present  time  it  has  done  nothing  but  hold  an  annual 
meeting,  covering  one  day,  usually  the  Friday  of  the  Annual  Conference. 
At  the  meeting  papers  are  read,  or  addresses  delivered  upon  subjects  of  in- 
terest and  importance  to  the  church,  particularly  to  the  laity : officers  are 
elected  for  the  ensuing  year,  and,  as  a rule,  a most  helpful  and  earnest  de- 
votional service  is  held.  The  present  president,  Mr.  Walter  Ivirwan, 
Chamber  of  Commerce  Bldg.,  this  city,  has  certain  plans  for  enlarging  the 
scope  of  the  association  and  for  bringing  it  into  touch  with  the  laity  of  the 
church  throughout  the  year,  instead  of  allowing  its  usefulness  to  be  limited 
to  practically  one  day,  as  I have  outlined.  The  annual  convention  is  made 
up  of  delegates  sent  from  each  congregation.  The  attendance  has  been 
quite  good,  and  the  Laymen’s  Association  has  a very  definite  place  in  the 
regard  of  the  church — both  ministers  and  laymen. 

As  to  our  plans  for  taking  care  of  the  salaries  of  ministers  where  the 
amounts  paid  by  the  churches  are  too  small,  the  Laymen’s  Association  lias 
nothing  organically  to  do  with  that.  We  have  in  our  conference  what  is 
known  as  the  “Southern  Committee,”  composed  of  an  equal  number  of 
ministers  and  laymen.  That  committee  meets  during  the  Annual  Conference 
session  and  receives  reports  on  printed  forms  from  each  church,  in  which 
is  set  forth  the  condition  of  the  church,  as  to  the  minister’s  salary  and  its 
-ability  to  meet  the  same.  Under  a rule  of  the  conference,  each  congre- 
gation is  assessed  two  and  one-half  per  cent,  of  its  minister’s  salary,  and  each 
ministerial  member  of  the  conference  is  asked  to  contribute  one-half  of  one 


ITS  PLACE  IN  METHODISM 


45 


per  cent,  of  his  salary,  exclusive  of  house  rent.  The  fund  obtained  from 
these  assessments  is  then  allotted  pro  rata  to  the  ministers  whose  salaries 
have  fallen  below  the  sum  of  $800  for  a married  man  and  $300  for  a single 
man,  the  object  being  to  appropriate  to  each  such  man  an  amount  which  will 
bring  his  total  compensation  up  to  those  limits.  I am  sorry  to  say  that 
we  have  only  in  a few  instances  been  able  to  reach  the  limit,  but  we  have 
approximated  them  fairly  ciosely. 


From  W.  A.  Sperry,  Owatonna,  Minn.,  Vice-President  Minnesota 
Lay  Conference: 

Our  Association  has  been  organized  for  three  years  and  has  had  during 
each  conference  a good  attendance  and  some  very  earnest  discussion  and  had 
some  very  valuable  papers  presented  on  subjects  of  general  importance  to 
laymen  and  Christian  workers  in  general.  I have  felt  for  a long  time  the 
importance  of  this  kind  of  an  organization,  for  the  purpose  of  not  only  be- 
coming better  acquainted  with  the  conference  of  our  own  church  and  the 
extent  of  its  work  and  operation,  but  also  to  get  the  laymen  better  ac- 
quainted with  each  other  and  to  bring  to  them  a larger  and  more  important 
view  of  the  work  in  which  they  are  engaged.  My  observation  in  life  has 
been  that  knowledge  can  be  more  rapidly  acquired  by  absorption  from  asso- 
ciation than  from  either  books  or  schools,  and  that  for  this  purpose  if  no 
other  could  be  accomplished,  the  lay  associations  are  of  great  benefit  to  ouv 
church  in  educating  and  interesting  its  membership  with  what  it  is  doing 
and  the  extent  of  the  field  it  covered,  and  showing  to  them  that  the  local 
church  to  which  one  belongs  is  a very  small  atom  when  compared  with  th  * 
church  at  large. 

Then  there  is  another  reason  which  I think  very  important  why  lay  asso- 
ciations should  be  organized,  and  that  is  to  impress  upon  the  laymen  of  the 
church  the  fact  that  the  church  is  their  church  as  well  as  the  minister’s, 
and  that  they  are  just  as  responsible  individually  as  the  minister  is,  and 
that  they  cannot  and  ought  not  to  wish  to  shift  the  responsibility  which 
rests  upon  them  on  to  the  preacher  and  the  women  of  the  church. 


■ 


